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Talented teen Bhaarti Passi is whipping up a series of healthy, sweet treats to nourish souls as well as raise funds to support businesses affected by Covid-19.
The concept came about after schools closed their doors due to the pandemic and 16-year-old St Christopher’s School student found herself stuck at home. Instead of spending her time as a couch potato, she threw herself into fitness and nutrition.
“When I couldn’t give my GCSE exams this year, I had the whole month of June to put to some productive use,” she explained. “I really wanted to make an ongoing difference to the pandemic affected businesses in Bahrain and not just a one-time donation.
“One night, as I was getting ready for bed the idea struck me. I should start a business that offers food that is affordable, nourishing for the mind, body and soul, and most importantly, sustainable so that I could give back.
“I’ve completed two business and entrepreneurship online courses, I have basic culinary skills and I have the time, passion and the drive.”
Last month, she launched her baked goods business called Meraki to cater to people that are allergic to gluten, eggs or dairy.
Meraki is a word that modern Greeks often use to describe what happens when a person leaves a piece of themselves – be it their soul, creativity, or love – into their work…and Bhaarti says that describes her perfectly.
“Not only is this a local business that I’ve founded and run by selling gluten-free, refined sugar-free, dairy-free and sustainable baked goods and snacks, but also something that truly represents a big part of me,” she explained. “It’s a brand that features nutrition, is rich in flavour and is eco-friendly. All of Meraki’s packaging is biodegradable. Plus they are my own recipes and around 90 per cent of the total ingredients are made by me.
“This includes ingredients ranging from homemade almond/oat flour to homemade dark chocolate, so freshness and nourishment truly is guaranteed.”
Bhaarti currently features six products that are banana-oat muffins, chewy chocolate chip cookies, crunchy chocolate cookies, dark chocolate chunky brownies, peanut butter and coconut energy balls and trail mix energy bars.
All six, except for one, are gluten-free and two of them are keto-friendly. Also, every single one of her products is whisked without any sort of refined sugar.
Aside from giving people a chance to snap up inexpensive sweet treats, Bhaarti will be donating 70 per cent of her profits to The Royal Humanitarian Foundation’s (RHF) Feena Khair fundraising drive.
The RHF accepts 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. 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.
Since the launch of her business, she has collected BD176 for Feena Khair. She said: “I want to help as many people as I can. Imagine, if branded and luxury stores are shutting down worldwide, what must the small and micro businesses be going through? I will be donating towards the Feena Khair campaign every month and every few months, I’ll be donating to different charities to help as much as possible. Remember, actions speak louder than words so please let’s all not just become ‘keyboard warriors on social media’ like my mum Shipra Dhir says. We have so much time, energy and resources in hand.
“Globally, we‘re all going through something together - from the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement to the explosion in Lebanon - we must all come together as a community and help in any way we can.
“So next time you crave something sweet, order from Meraki. Not only will it satisfy your cravings and nourish your body, but you’re also contributing indirectly towards making someone’s life better.”
People can purchase her goodies by following @bakememeraki on Instagram or by contacting 38185369 via Whatsapp.
