Producer Profiles

Shalimar Flowers

Shalimar Flowers is a Fair Trade cut-flower and vegetable farm located on the northern shores of Lake Naivasha in the Nakuru District of Kenya's Rift Valley Province. Major concerns for flower workers in this region are access to the market and community development. Market regulation after Fair Trade certification has allowed employees to achieve economic independence and has improved living standards of workers and the community.
 

Programs

Low-Interest Business Loans for Workers

The workers of Shalimar Flowers created a Fair Trade premium-funded microcredit program. This program currently provides small loans for workers who wish to start their own businesses in order to earn additional incomes.

Driving and Tailoring workshops for workers

The scholarship program was developed in late 2009 to help workers develop new skills and further their education. The scholarship’s pilot program facilitates courses in driving and tailoring.

Fair Trade premiums fund local school's infrastructure expansion

Starting In 2007, workers at Shalimar Flowers used Fair Trade premiums for the construction of two elemnary school classrooms, including the installation of water fountains and storage tanks. Fair Trade community development funds also assisted in the purchase of 10 acres of land and the construction of three new classrooms for the local high school. Thanks to the workers' Fair Trade premium allocation, education is an achievable reality for many.