“CANDLES OF CONSCIENCE”

Daisy Petals

“He loves me”
“He loves me not”
“He loves me”
“He loves me not”

The plucking of daisy petals sometimes means a lot more than a romantic gesture of uncertainty. Many women face the fear of not knowing when is the next time she will be battered by her husband. In the last four years, a staggering 21,000 cases of domestic violence have been reported to the police, and sadly, this does not even include the many cases that went unreported and unrecognised. In Malaysia, prevailing cultural attitudes and a lack of concern meant that for many years, the nation’s battered women had little alternative but to resign themselves to living in constant fear of violence.

“Have you ever been so frightened that you couldn’t move? That’s what it’s like to be trapped in an abusive relationship.”

The Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) was formed in 1982, and founded the first shelter in the nation for victims of domestic violence. This is a place where Malaysia’s battered women could turn to in times of crisis. Since its founding, WAO’s Refuge has provided shelter and counselling to more than 1000 women each year. At the Refuge, these women are provided with food, provisions, a place to stay without fees, and a sympathetic ear to listen to their stories.

To assist us in providing for these services, The Body Shop has launched a range of candles which would be specially sold to raise funds for a number of worthy causes.

WAO is one of the four beneficiaries of the project. The other beneficiaries are Pink Triangle Foundation, Malaysian AIDS Foundation and Malaysian Nature Society.

These candles are made from 100% vegetable wax (which is more environmentally friendly than paraffin wax). It is a medium-sized pillar candle which burns only in the middle. Therefore, when the candle lights up in the hollow centre of the candle, the emblem/logo on the outer side of the candle seems to be backlit, especially at night. The Candles of Conscience therefore comes from the inspiration that one would be lighting a candle for another in need.

The candle which carries WAO’s logo will have a daisy emblem. The more customers who buy the candles with the daisy emblem, the more funds would be raised for WAO.

The total cost of the candles is RM5 per piece and would retail in The Body Shop for RM10 each. Therefore the net profits of RM5 per candle sold would go to the charity concerned.

If you are concerned about domestic violence and would like to help, please, pick the daisy.