A woman who makes soap from breast milk has said she is donating all the profits to help Syrians, following an earthquake in the region that has left thousands dead.
At least 4,900 people have died after two powerful earthquakes rocked Syria and neighbouring Turkey on Monday.
Reham Ghafarji, who is originally from Syria, came to Ireland in 2016 and now lives in Clonakilty.
Her company, 'Soap and More', makes several products - including soap out of breast milk.
She told Moncrieff this has several benefits.
"I know the breast milk, how it's very good and full of fat and sugars for creamy and silky soap, and also it's full of benefits for skin," she said.
"One of my customers asked me to make a soap from her breast milk to help her niece, she's suffering from eczema.
"It worked very well with her - so I decided then to have breast milk soap in my shop as well."
'It's not too much'
Reham said it doesn't take much breast milk to make a bar of soap.
"It's not too much, there is a specific amount of course to have silky and solid soap," she said.
"It takes about 5 ml."
She said her output really depends on supply.
"It just depends on if I have breast milk.
"If I don't have breastmilk fresh and safe, I can't produce more soap."
She said the breast milk can be frozen, but not for long.
"I just accept like a maximum of six months for freezing".
'This amazing country'
Reham has been donating some of her profits to homeless charities here.
"Since I started my business and after I received huge support, I decided to donate 15% of my profits to help homeless charities in Ireland," she said.
"Just to say thanks for this amazing country, and wonderful and friendly people."
"Everytime, unfortunately, we are in a really bad situation in the world."
Soap made with breast milk from Soap and More. Picture: SuppliedReham said since March 2022, some of her profits have been going to the Irish Red Cross to help Ukraine.
Now, she wants to also try and help those hit by the massive earthquake in Syria.
"At the moment there is children in the hospital - we don't know [about] their family," she said.
"They need huge care.
"I decided any order from the 6th of February until the end of the month, all the profit will go to Syria to support them.
"They have a very bad situation; the weather in Syria is now 0 or minus [temperatures].
"There is no electricity, no fuel, not even [phone] connection.
"I tried to contact my family there, there is no connection until at night.
"Unfortunately I received news that my friend is dead - she and her mother - my friend just gave birth a few weeks ago," she added.
Listen back here:
More information on Soap and More can be found here
UNICEF Ireland has also set up an emergency appeal following the earthquake
