When someone is forced to flee war and spend decades in refugee camps, relocating to a new country is far more than a simple change of address; it is a fundamental need to start over from scratch. For many refugees arriving in the United States, this transition is complicated by language barriers, a lack of local references, and the weight of travel debt. However, in Olympia, Washington, a unique social enterprise called Relume has emerged, helping people not just survive but rebuild their lives through the craft of eco-friendly candle making.
Overcoming Invisible Barriers
Upon arriving in the U.S., refugees often face a harsh reality: they are expected to immediately begin repaying the loans taken to cover their flight costs. But how can they earn a living when employers require fluent English, American work experience, and local references?
This specific challenge is what inspired Relume's founders—friends Rand Roedell and Karima Bassalé—to act. They recognized how many refugees in the Pacific Northwest were desperate for work and financial independence, yet their applications were consistently rejected due to bureaucratic and linguistic hurdles.
Candle manufacturing became an elegant and practical response to this complex issue. The craft can be taught entirely on-site; it requires neither English fluency nor a formal education. This gives people the opportunity to earn a living while simultaneously learning and adapting to their new environment.
Stories of Those Who Light the Way
For many Relume employees, this work has become a genuine lifeline.
Maguno arrived in Olympia in 2023 along with her two adult sons. Prior to that, she had fled war in the Congo and spent 30 years in a refugee camp in Tanzania. One of her primary goals was to settle her U.S. travel debt as quickly as possible. Thanks to her wages at Relume, she was able to successfully pay off that loan. For Maguno, this was more than just a financial transaction; it was proof of her independence. "Paying off this debt was an honor for me—a way to repay the chance I was given," she explains.
Another employee, Eyman, was born in Syria. At the age of 10, the outbreak of war forced her family to flee to Jordan. In December 2024, she arrived in the U.S. with her husband Tarek and two young sons, where ordinary daily tasks initially felt incredibly daunting. But working in the studio quickly changed everything. "The ability to rely on myself, interact with more people, improve my language skills, and earn money has given me back my confidence," Eyman shares.
More Than Just a Workplace
Relume is more than just a workshop; it is a full-fledged community. On days when the team is crafting candles, volunteers visit the facility to provide English language instruction. Notably, refugees are paid separately for the time they spend in these classes.
Additionally, families gather regularly for community dinners. According to Karima Bassalé, these gatherings transform the enterprise from a "temporary fix" into a true home. "The team feels a sense of responsibility for the candle studio, fostering a deep sense of belonging to the wider Relume community," she notes.
A Bridge to the Future
The founders of Relume see their mission as broader than just providing temporary employment. They want their enterprise to serve as a reliable springboard for refugees to launch long-term careers in the American labor market.
"One day, we hope to serve as a professional reference for them as they move forward and build their careers beyond Relume," the founders say.
The Relume initiative demonstrates that the integration and support of vulnerable populations require more than just charitable donations; it needs dignified labor opportunities. By lighting candles in an Olympia workshop, refugees from the Congo, Syria, and other nations are doing more than just creating a product—they are reclaiming their lives step by step, gaining dignity, independence, and a new home.
Today, Relume ships its candles from Olympia to 40 states. This level of demand confirms that modern audiences support businesses with a human-centered approach, where every employee's contribution is valued, provided the final product remains high-quality and competitive.
