Kenya has two great flower success stories this month as two women develop real “flower power”!

Esther Ngina used to be a general worker on a Fairtrade flower plantation but has now set up her own fresh vegetable export firm “Mee Country Fresh”.  Esther attributes her success in part to the support she received from Fairtrade while working for Oserian Flower Farm. The farm gave Esther and other staff bursaries to take Higher Education classes, partly funded through the Fairtrade Premium. Esther followed a course in marketing management, which led to her getting promoted at Oserian, and eventually leaving to set up her own business, supporting small-scale vegetable farmers.

“Fairtrade went a long way to support me” Ester says in a video interview with Fairtrade Africa. “Through the bursary and the Premium funds I was able to then manage the business I have now.”

Meanwhile, Grace Cherotich, currently working for Ravine Roses, was elected to represent all Fairtrade workers in the Fairtrade International General Assembly. Grace is also the first worker representative on the Fairtrade Africa board - a huge achievement for her and for Fairtrade Africa.