Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 4 Nov: Raphael established its candle-making workshop over 40 years ago and production and demand for the handmade candles and diyas has recently grown exponentially. Raphael has already broken its 2025 record by producing 30,000 this year. The candles and diyas are purchased by many individuals, businesses and organisations across the Dehradun region and, of course, Diwali is the busiest time of the year for sales.
As part of their vocational curriculum, Raphael’s students work in the candle workshop under the guidance of Shiva Kumar Gurung, learning to measure, melt, pour, set and package candles and diyas.
Simultaneously, the students develop fine motor skills and attention to detail and, importantly, build confidence and the skills of teamwork.
The candle-making team comprises a wide range of Raphael’s students including Sanju, Tanu, Pankaj and Mukul.
Priyo Lall, CEO of Raphael, said, “Too few people with learning disabilities in India are given the opportunity to work in real-life situations. There is a very real problem with employers failing to see the potential of these young people. I’m very proud of what Raphael’s candle-making team has achieved this year and hope that more employers will learn to see what young people with learning disabilities can achieve and the skills and work-ethic they bring to the workplace.”
Many of the diyas have been hand-painted by Jenny, one of Raphael’s oldest residents. Jenny first came to live at Raphael when she was a girl in 1966, and she particularly enjoys expressing herself creatively.
Raphael produces and packages candles and diyas for Diwali, Christmas, birthdays and other celebrations and undertakes large and small orders for diyas from across the Dehradun region.
Raphael produces and packages candles and diyas for Diwali, Christmas, birthdays and other celebrations and undertakes large and small orders for diyas from across the Dehradun region.
Throughout the Diwali period Raphael sells its candles and diyas from a stall on the Raphael estate (at the Rispana Nadi end of Mohini Road) – open daily until Sunday. The stall is staffed by Raphael’s students, further developing their vocational skills. Orders can also be taken by contacting 9837480251.
Candle-making is just one of the vocational activities that students learn at Raphael. They also have opportunities to learn and work in the paper crafts workshop, the training kitchen, develop gardening skills and at one of Raphael’s chai stalls.
Raphael was founded in 1959 and has almost 70 years’ experience of providing special education, healthcare and support for some of Uttarakhand’s most disadvantaged people.
