Scented Candle Making Workshop for Local Humanist Women in Takoradi, Ghana

Project Overview

Project Title: Scented Candle Making Workshop

Location: Takoradi, Ghana

Date: May 2024

Budget: $300

Participants: 10 Local Humanist Women

Project Objective: To empower local humanist women in Takoradi by teaching them the skills needed to make scented candles, thereby providing them with a means to generate income.

Background and Justification

In Takoradi, Ghana, many women face economic challenges and limited opportunities for income generation. This project aimed to address this issue by equipping local humanist women with the knowledge and skills to produce scented candles, a product with market demand. By learning this craft, the women could potentially start their own small businesses, contributing to their financial independence and community development.

Materials Purchased:

  • 20 kg of soy wax

  • 100 candle wicks

  • 10 different essential oils (lavender, vanilla, rose, etc.)

  • Candle dyes in various colors

  • 50 glass containers

  • 2 thermometers

  • Stirring sticks and other necessary equipment

Venue: A small hall in Takoradi. 

Instructors: Esther Gyimah 

Implementation

Workshop Schedule:

  • Introduction and Objectives: Brief introduction to the project and its goals.

  • Safety and Preparation: Importance of safety measures while making candles.

  • Materials Overview: Explanation of the different materials and their uses.

  • Candle Making Process: Step-by-step demonstration and hands-on practice.

    • Melting the wax

    • Adding dyes and essential oils

    • Preparing the wicks and containers

    • Pouring the wax

    • Cooling and setting the candles

  • Packaging and Presentation: Tips on how to package and present candles for sale.

  • Q&A Session: Addressing participants’ questions and concerns.

Participant Engagement:

Each participant was actively involved in the candle-making process, from melting the wax to adding scents and pouring the candles. The interactive nature of the workshop ensured that all participants were able to follow and understand each step.

Material Distribution: At the end of the workshop, the remaining materials were distributed among the participants, ensuring each woman received:

  • 2 kg of soy wax

  • 10 wicks

  • 1 essential oil bottle

  • Dyes

  • 5 glass containers

Conclusion

The Scented Candle Making Workshop successfully met its objective of empowering 10 local humanist women in Takoradi by equipping them with valuable skills and resources. With a modest budget of $300, the project provided a sustainable means for the participants to generate income, fostering economic independence and community development.

This initiative not only taught practical skills but also inspired confidence and ambition among the participants, paving the way for future endeavors and expansions in skill-building projects for women in the community.