Imagine your skills, talents and ambition all going to waste because you are unable to find employment. Imagine being unable to care for your family, your children, your loved ones. Imagine being unable to work, even though all you want to do is be gainfully employed. Imagine being unable to buy food, clothes, medication. Imagine being unable to afford to live. Just Imagine…
This was, and still remains the reality of some persons living with HIV/AIDS in Jamaica. Being unable to find employment because of low skill levels, “Mi always sick”, discrimination and in some instances just mere speculation (that they have HIV) affects their self-esteem, and adversely affects their ability to provide for their own needs and the needs of those who are dependent on them.
Life’s Work scented candles was birthed almost 2 decades ago, in 1996, as a therapeutic programme (by the Jamaica AIDS Support for Life) to help HIV positive clients transform our negative energy into a positive outcome.
The initiative grew to become a business. It provided a discrimination-free working environment for persons living with HIV. Those persons who had not been able to afford their medication, feed their families and enjoy life were given a chance to live again. However, the initiative’s greatest achievement is giving workers a sense of independence; providing them with the opportunity to purchase basic amenities.
“They had to let me go. I was always sick. When you’re not working it makes you feel worthless and then you don’t know where you’re going to get money to send your children to school or to even buy medication. I couldn’t afford it . I got really sick. I lost so much weight. Then, when people see that you’re not going to work and that you’ve lost a lot of weight, they begin to speculate. The stigma attached to HIV is worse than having the virus.” – Daphney
provide a greater sense of emotional mental stability.
“All I want is a work. Just a job, so I can provide for my children. I don’t want to have to ask anybody for anything. When the light bill comes, when the water bill comes I have to be begging for assistance to pay it. Sometimes we don’t have a thing to eat. I’m not lazy, I am an independent person. I just want a work”. – Karl
The 100% Jamaican-made product has made its way to corners of North America and Europe, providing hope and independence for persons who had almost given up on life. The scents range from local tropical aromas like coconut, juicy pineapple, orange, cinnamon and honeydew melon to delicious French Vanilla and Amber, soothing Botanical Orchard, Strawberry and Lavender to strong, addictive Coffee. There’s a scent for everyone. To support Life’s Work Candles, you may visit the Facebook page: Life’s Work, or visit Jamaica AIDS Support at 3 Hendon Drive, Kingston 20 or call 925-0021-2. You deserve a Life’s Work candle for all your life’s work.