This week, Prosperity Catalyst was a featured exhibitor at the NY NOW Trade Show, a leading trade show for the home, lifestyle and gift market. The three day event represents an opportunity for a wide range of exhibitors to show their designs and products. This event is special for us and our for-profit partner, Prosperity Candle, as it marks the launch of a unique line of beautiful, hand-poured candles called the Akkadian Collection.

The launch of this collection is one of the main outcomes of our Women’s Empowerment through Business (WEB) program in Baghdad, funded by the US Department of State. The Akkadian Collection, which was designed in California and features handcrafted vessels from Turkey, is crafted by Iraqi women in Baghdad, many of whom are widows and breadwinners for their families. This show represents the result of two years of hard work and collaboration between Prosperity Catalyst, Prosperity Candle and the many artisans, local NGOs, and supporters who have helped us along the way.

Located on level three of the Javits Center at booth #1666, Prosperity Candle exhibited three different types of candles-beautiful, handmade glass, copper, and ceramic. And while the unique story behind our candles piques the interest of many buyers, they are also exceptionally beautiful and well crafted, making them attractive even in a competitive home decor and gift market.

“I’m very proud of what we have accomplished with this program. Today we are unveiling the Akkadian Collection to the marketplace for the very first time, and not only is it the result of a unique collaboration between PCAT [Prosperity Catalyst], PCAN [Prosperity Candle] and DRL [State Department, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor], but it is extraordinary product, it is beautifully designed and made, and there is literally nothing else in the marketplace like the AKKADIAN collection. I’m very excited about this product first and foremost but also where the overall project will go from here.”

-Ted Barber, the president of Prosperity Candle and the lead of sales

Marketing these candles in NY NOW trade show is a big step toward the success of the WEB program, and it ultimately reflects the hard work of hundreds of Iraqi widows achieving economic independence and supporting a brighter future for their families.

-Zedan Mohamad, Iraq Program Director