Mum not milking profits to help the homeless
Reham inundated with requests for soaps made from breast milk
A SYRIAN entrepreneur is giving 15% of all sales her new breast milk soap to homeless charities to say thanks to Ireland for giving her the life of her dreams.
Reham Ghafarji, 28, a mother of two has been inundated with requests for her unique product.
She studied English literature at University in Damascus and had also worked as a beautician before fleeing her war torn country with her son to be with her husband Wasim, who came to Ireland ahead of his family to secure work as a chef.
She has been running a successful Soap & More business for the last two years and has devised a new range of breast milk soap, which she calls “liquid gold” for skin ailments.
Reham said: “My soaps are made with 100% natural ingredients and vitamins, coloured using mild dye colouring and all have a soap base.
“Our soaps are highly moisturising, safe and gentle on the skin and are suitable for almost all skin types.
“I had an idea to make breast milk soap as it is high in fat and sugar and so makes really creamy and silky soap.
“A lady asked me if I would make some for her, using her own breast milk as she suffered really badly with eczema and believed breast milk would help her. She has had huge relief from it.
“Another lady had too much milk in her freezer and gave it to me to make soap with as the milk only lasts four to six months frozen and she didn’t want to waste it.
“I must stress that I know these two ladies and their history so I know they have no allergies.
“And the lady with eczema was using it for herself. I mix the soap with oatmeal which acts as a moisturiser and exfoliator also. Word has got out and I’m now getting calls from other mums who didn’t know what to do to recycle their breast milk and would love to use the soap which is super beneficial for your skin.
“I refer to breast milk as liquid gold because of all the nutrients and vitamins it contains.”
Reham has been living in Clonakilty, Co Cork, since coming to Ireland with her now eight-year-old boy Khaled five years ago and has since had a little girl Heaven who is two.
She said: “My husband came here for refuge two years before me. It wasn’t an easy decision but we decided that he would go first and see what the country was like and get a job and a home for us. He then applied for family reunification and my son and I came here in 2017
“We came here for a better life from a country ravaged by war, in which we lost some relatives.
“Since we arrived, the people here have been nothing but friendly and supportive to us. We are very grateful to them and to the country for giving us our dream life.
“I haven’t seen my family since we left Syria, only talking to them by phone – but I feel that the Irish are now my family. Ireland is now my home.
“I had a dream to start my own business to help my family and not have to depend on anyone. There’s an amazing education centre in Cork and I did so many free courses including business which helped me set up my own. I did a skincare course in Ireland so I know what ingredients are good for your skin.
“I am donating 15% of proceeds to the homeless to give something back and say thank you to this country.
“I feel I have everything, my family, a new start in an amazing country and a new business. It is a dream come true.”
Breast milk is liquid gold because of nutrients REHAM GHAFARJI YESTERDAY IN CO CORK