Amazing Grace

In 2012 we converted all of our own brand standard bunches and single stem roses to Fairtrade. Then, in 2018, we committed to sourcing all the African roses for all bouquets of Co-op as Fairtrade. Grace Otieno, a Fairtrade roses producer supervisor, told us how Fairtrade is helping her community in Navaisha, Kenya.

“I have been working as a flower producer for the last 13 years. When I was first employed, I was paid very little, however since Fairtrade, things have changed for the better. I have also recently been promoted to supervisor, which gives me a little extra on my salary. Reaching this level as a woman is difficult due to the competitive environment and traditional domination of men.

As a woman working on a flower farm, life tends to be more difficult for women than men, as we are expected to take care of our family whilst also working. We wake up very early to help our children and get them to nursery or school, work all day, and then take care of the children again in the evening, meaning we have very little time for any rest for ourselves.

I have seen Fairtrade change many lives in my community. Fairtrade has provided women with more opportunities, for example, I have been able to take a course on business management to aid me in becoming a supervisor. It has also supported our children in being able to go to school. In Naivasha in particular we had a lot of problems with the maternity hall in our hospital that Fairtrade funds have now helped to improve.

Being a part of Fairtrade makes me feel really proud and appreciative, as without the Fairtrade Premiums our lives would be so different. I would like to tell customers in the UK and the rest of the world to buy Fairtrade flowers, as these purchases touch the life of another. Flowers are meant to show love: if you buy Fairtrade ones to show love to your friends, wife or husband, you are also showing love back to the producers who harvest the flowers; it is all-round love showing.”