Producer Profiles
Hoja Verde Ecuador - Hoja Verde CIA LTDA
Hoja Verde has been Fair Trade Certified™ since 2002 and currently produces over 60 varieties of roses. Hoja Verde prides itself on being a socially responsible organization that focuses on human development and environmentally sustainable practices that will preserve land for future generations of flower growers.
Quotable
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My son didn’t know how to use a computer and they didn’t teach him well at the school he attended. With support from Hoja Verde, now my son is taking a classes. When he first began the course, he was not at the same level as the other children, but I spoke with the teacher and she helped him until the end of the term. It is great that Hoja Verde can help us with educational development of the community, even though we are not all farm workers or farm workers' children. It is worth it to invest in this program. ” Luz Maria Caza, Hoja Verde Worker
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The health center program is very important because with regular vaccinations, my children no longer get sick like they used to. I bring them to the pediatrician to check their weight and control parasites. The doctor prescribes vitamins and helps cover the costs of those prescriptions. This program helps me cover all of my children’s medications and the money that I saved helps me provide quality food for my children. ” Rosa García, Hoja Verde Worker
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My family is better off now. Owning a house is a family’s dream and we were able to achieve that through Fair Trade. Before the house, we paid rent and didn’t have any money saved for schooling. Now we don’t pay rent and we have saved for our children’s education. ” Silvia Sanchez & Aladino Vera, Hoja Verde Workers
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Programs
Children’s Health Program
With their Fair Trade premium, Hoja Verde established a health program for workers’ children. Realizing that treating illnesses alone was not sufficient, Hoja Verde created a system that made preventative healthcare a priority. Their health insurance program allows children to receive medical attention, treatment, vaccinations and vitamins for a low co-pay parents can easily afford.
Home Improvement and Construction Loan Program
In Ecuador, ineligibility for bank loans due to low incomes combined with extremely high interest rates make most loans inaccessible to the majority of workers. This means many workers are unable to buy land or make necessary home improvements. Hoja Verde, recognizing a critical need in the community, implemented a program that provides their workers with loans at low, feasible interest rates. With a an annual interest rate of 1 percent and maximum monthly payments of 65 US dollars (2012), Hoja Verde workers can purchase land, build new homes, and make home improvements without falling into crippling debt.
Computer center for the community
Hoja Verde's workers use Fair Trade premium funds to maintain and support the Convenio Escuela Nasacota Puento, a local school that serves 380 children, including 90 teens and 28 children of farm workers. In addition to providing the school with materials and financial support, premiums have funded computer classes for all students.