Later this week the candles will reach our warehouse where Amber, Siiri, Ted and volunteers will check the quality and carefully package each of these beautiful expressions of hope for a better future.

To all those who have supported us throughout the past year, thank you – this is a great moment. And to the many who have already purchased… your Mother’s Day candles are on their way!

Lama'a making candles in her kitchen

Lama’a was very proud of her ink-covered finger (indicating she had voted), and reported that she headed for a polling station with her husband after removing her 12^th candle from its mold.  She voted for a better future for their children.

Huda is proud of her candle production. She hopes the election will build a strong community, just as she and other women are building beautiful candles.

Majeeda is dissatisfied with the current situation and is hoping that the elections will lead to a better government that will reduce the violence. Women are losing family members and husbands, and more and more are becoming widows like her. The joy in her life is when she is in the kitchen making candles.

Awatif reports with a smile on her face that “elections are very important and all Iraqis must participate and never let others to take our right from us – that’s why I voted”.

Nazahat voted in the election and hopes for a new parliament and government that will work to achieve peace – something that Iraqis miss in their lives. She said, “Prosperity Candles give me a sense of peace whenever I pour one.”

It is inspiring to reflect on how many organizations are supporting women in a variety of ways. Emails, tweets, facebook postings and blog entries have been flying – all ruminating about this important day and providing information on how to help advance rights for women around the globe.

In a live stream from the White House, First Lady Michelle Obama spoke about the achievements of women around the world, and the President affirmed his dedication to hosting a summit on entrepreneurship for women in the Muslim world. Clearly, the time is ripe for us all to be moving forward. Thank you to all of you who support women!

Asking a question about candle production via Skype video. Baghdad, February 25, 2010.

With only a few  interruptions, we conducted a very successful training for minor adjustments in the way the entrepreneurs are making their candles.  And we all agreed that regular Skype video calls are a great way to build our community!

Candle-making is a timeless craft that combines science and art, and it takes practice to produce candles that both burn perfectly and are lovely to look upon.  In our quality review, we not only check the aesthetics of a candle, but we examine its entire composition from top to bottom, including looking at its interior.  Why?  Because we want to be sure that the entrepreneurs have acquired skills to start successful businesses, and that we can bring high quality candles to our customers.

Today we are happy to report that the candles passed all of the most important quality requirements.  With some fine-tuning on details like height and packaging, the women will be ready to make candles for export.  Congratulations to everyone, especially Ibtesam and the 4 trainers!

Today these very same candles – the first Prosperity Candles made by entrepreneurs seeking to create their own scalable businesses – arrived via Dubai and New York at our warehouse.

Bob, Lisa and Amber unpacking the first Prosperity Candles, each labeled by the individual woman who made it. February 16, 2010.

More than 18 months after conceiving this social venture, and 10 months after launching the pilot in Iraq with our partner Women for Women International, we touch for the first time the vision of women thriving in places of conflict.  From their hands to ours.  For the 50 women entrepreneurs, Ibtesam and the 4 trainers, all of us at Prosperity Candle,  and the many who have lent their support, this is an incredible moment to celebrate!