More Than Candles
Our Impact
Numbers matter — but behind every number is a woman who showed up, learned something new, and earned something for herself.
Our Impact So Far
Our progress so far — and growing with every candle.
The Real Measure
Meet Laxmi Akka
A Light of Hope
When we first met Laxmi Akka, she was going through a difficult time. She had been unwell and, after consulting the doctors, was advised to undergo surgery.
For us, Beacon by the Bay has never been only about making and selling candles. We wanted the work of these women to have a real purpose, and when Laxmi Akka needed support, we wanted to be there for her. The money raised through Beacon by the Bay was used towards her medical expenses and surgery.
Today, we went to meet her. Her surgery was successful, and seeing her recovering and doing well was an incredibly special moment for us. She is expected to be discharged soon and return home.
For me, this visit was a reminder of why I started Beacon by the Bay. Sometimes, impact isn’t a number on a chart. Sometimes, it is sitting beside someone who is recovering and knowing that the little project you started was able to make a difference when she needed it.
“A candle may begin as a small flame, but its light can reach much further than we imagine.”
Laxmi Akka’s story has become one of the most meaningful chapters of the Beacon by the Bay journey.
We started by making candles.
We discovered that we could make a difference. 🕯️💙
Looking Ahead
Our Goals
Train more women
We want to double our cohort in the next cycle — from 7 to 14 women — bringing in women from neighbouring villages along the coast.
Improve candle-making skills
Advanced training in fragrance blending, decorative candles, and luxury packaging — so our products can reach premium markets.
Increase sales and reach
Move beyond the parish stall to regular online orders, corporate gifting partnerships, and festival pop-ups across the district.
Build a sustainable community business
Formalise into a women's cooperative with proper accounts, profit-sharing, and reinvestment into the community — not dependent on any single donor.
Help other coastal communities replicate the model
Document everything — training modules, production guides, pricing templates — and share it freely with other fishing community groups who want to start their own initiative.
Our Purpose
"Our goal is not to make the most candles.
Our goal is to create the most opportunities."
Every candle we make is a small act of defiance against economic exclusion. We believe women in every fishing village on this coast deserve what the women of Beacon by the Bay are slowly building for themselves — security, skill, and the quiet dignity of earning your own way.