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Two big-hearted high school friends are stringing along a series of colourfully beaded bracelets and necklaces to sell in a bid to help raise funds for families affected by Covid-19.
Bahrain School students Layla Al Saad, and Shahla Al Zayani unveiled @calma.bh on Instagram featuring their handmade jewellery late last month and have already collected as well as donated BD2,415.320.
The accessories concept came about when the young entrepreneurs were deciding on producing a creativity, activity and service (CAS) project for their International Baccalaureate (IB) programme. CAS is one of the three essential elements that every student must complete as part of the Diploma Programme (DP).
Layla, 16, from Sehla, said: “We came up with this idea because we wanted to create something relevant to the current Covid-19 crisis and how to overcome it through positivity and creativity.
“We were both interested in creating a business concept featuring fashion trends and our summer accessory idea was born. The main aim was also to collect funds for charity but in such a way that people felt positive and happy about their donations, as well as having a memorable gift created with love by us.”
Using beads, shells and stones, the talented twosome design and create bracelets, chokers, necklaces, anklets and rings for both young and old. The vibrantly-hued materials are connected by string and hooks and customers are given the choice of colour and size. The prices range from BD2 to BD27 and, according to 17-year-old Shahla, often people have donated larger amounts and have placed big orders because it’s a charity-based business.
All profits will be donated to the Royal Humanitarian Foundation (RHF), which used to be known as the Royal Charity Organisation, to help mitigate the spread of Covid-19. According to Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, the National Security Adviser and Board of Trustees Chairman of the RHF, the new name reflects His Majesty’s vision of broadening the foundation’s work in accordance with the principles of Islam.
RHF is accepting donations from businesses and individuals in support of national efforts to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 via its website https://www.rco.gov.bh. The fundraising drive, called the Feena Khair, which means ‘There is Good in Us’ in Arabic, was launched in response to growing requests from individuals and businesses that wished to help during the pandemic. The students said they were thankful to Shaikh Nasser for his efforts in supporting the community. They are also grateful for the encouragement and support they have received from their families.
Shahla, from Riffa, said: “We also want to thank @az.thetics_ for designing and fine-tuning our Instagram page and we appreciate the people and community of Bahrain for their support, simply by following us as well as reaching out and sharing our business concept with family and friends.
“We are overwhelmed and proud to be part of this huge initiative. We are grateful to be able to showcase our art and hopefully spread a strong, lasting message, as well as supporting a good cause. Sometimes, it is during bad situations that we find the good in what we do. Being at home for months has led us all to rethink our lifestyle and to improve ourselves by helping others.”
The designs are currently being delivered in Bahrain and to customers in other GCC countries.
Also, aside from raising funds, the students hope to spread love and positivity with their daily posted quotes. They also include their own digitally-drawn stickers along with a personalised logo in all their packaging.
For detail, email calmabahrain@gmail.com and follow @calma.bh on Instagram for purchases.
