How Shopping For Flowers Is Driving Employment And Education
I believe jobs are the answer to poverty. See how one company is making a difference.
We all have charities that are dear to our hearts. You know, the ones you give religiously to month after month. Well, I do as well, and I always appreciate learning about other organizations that help and support families in need and empower them to make a difference for their families.
Proflowers.com – an FTD company – has partnered with AllAcrossAfrica.org – a benefit corporation that brings the best of business practices through market development, training, and teaching to producers in Africa – to create a collection of exclusive handmade vases that are uniquely crafted by artisans in Rwanda. All Across Africa is a fair trade organization dedicated to empowering communities by providing employment and education – and ultimately hope.
One ProFlowersAll Across Africa vase provides:
A child with the opportunity to attend school for two months
Clothing and shoes for two children
Healthcare for an entire year for two people
The ProFlowers All Across Africa collection will provide:
Three thousand+ children with school fees for a year, a pair of shoes, uniform, and school supplies
Healthcare for 18,000+ people
Every product has a story behind it. That story flows through each individual artisan’s hands as he or she creates these products. From their hands to yours. That’s what moved me most about the flowers, jewelry, and goods, they are created by local artisans in Africa and the purchase of each one of a kind gift helps improve the life of so many of these artisans across the globe.
For the weavers, baskets represent status as weaving has made many of them valued people in their society, bringing regular income into their homes. Not only are they able to overcome poverty, but they can also save money, buy land and create new businesses.
They create beautiful patterns bursting with meaning. The sunburst pattern on these baskets is known as the “hope” design. Reflected on the Rwandan flag, this sunburst image stands for the country’s collective hope for a new dawn and brighter future. This design means a lot to the weavers they partner with as each basket they sell increases their chances for a better life.
Quality of life, community status, self-worth and confidence are just a few of the hopeful effects these baskets bring. With the income the weavers receive, they are able to open bank accounts, start businesses and even hire other workers. The effect from the production and income of basket weaving ripples through the entire nation.
The flowers I received from Proflower.com are stunning! I am thrilled with the workmanship of the vase. The colors, pattern, and design all represent something inspiring and will be a constant reminder to me of just how hard work and dedication can and does make a difference. The folks over at Proflower.com were kind enough to send me this beautiful bouquet. I am humbled and so grateful be able to share this inspiring story with all of you.
The colors and craftsmanship of this vase in just beautiful! It will always be treasured. Each vase is handcrafted by an artisan and empowers them to live the lives they were meant to and support their families.
The flowers were all healthy and loaded with buds waiting to come alive!
I can’t wait to see what blooms will come alive next!
All Across Africa 10in Basket – I love this collection of bowls. The colors and patterns are vibrant and filled with hope for a brighter future.
Intricately woven. Craftswomen in Rwanda use timeless tradition to weave carefully dyed raffia fibers and grass to make stunning one of a kind pieces that are rich in cultural meaning and purpose. They are perfect to be used as a bread serving bowl, display of fresh fruit or vegetables or hung on the wall in a well-crafted collage or set.
Made in Rwanda
Product is made from all natural sisal and sweet grass
Organic dyes are used to dye the raffia
Profiled weaver tag is attached to each product
Basket has a hang loop on the back for wall décor
Safe to use with food
All products are made by hand with love and vary slightly in color and size.
About 10″ diameter
This All Across Africa Bangle Set is stunning! I love the colors and tassel. So chic and fun!
These woven sisal bracelets are made with love and honor by returned Burundian refugees. Through mastering a new craft, they are shaping and defining a peaceful, secure future for themselves and their families. This set of bracelets is perfect to spice up any outfit – mix and match, great as four separate pieces!
One size fits all, about 8″ length
Set of 4
Made in Burundi
Product is made from natural materials: grass and sisal
Profiled artisan tag is attached to each product
All products are made by hand with love and vary slightly in color and size.
And the flowers – each one more beautiful than the next.
Be sure to visit their site and send them some love. These artisans are hard at work crafting their lives into better ones. And remember, the ProFlowers All Across Africa Collection will provide healthcare for 18,000+ people and just one ProFlowersAll Across Africa vase will provide a child with the opportunity to attend school for 2 months.
I made sure to let all of my friends and family know that whenever they want to order flowers for me, to do so via their site.
It’s the best way to enjoy their beautiful flowers and gifts while helping to support a worthy cause that will make you feel as good inside as the flowers look outside.
And as always, thanks so much for stopping by to read How Shopping For Flowers Is Driving Employment And Education.
Carolann is the owner and author of Sassy Townhouse Living. She received her M.Ed. in Instructional Technologies and enjoys being a geek. She is passionate about DIY projects, cooking, baking, makeup tutorials, home decor, writing, product and technology reviews and enjoys sharing the best of everything with her readers.
18 Comments
Michelle
Appreciate you bringing awareness to these organizations through your blog. I like those bangles. The tassel adds a modern touch. Please feel free to link this at my party tomorrow so others can learn about these organizations.
We are seeing more and more partnerships like this and I love it. The products are fabulous! I love the bowls, too. And of course, who doesn’t like flowers?
Hi Leanne, I love them too! I am super impressed with what this organization is doing. I love empowering artisans and this is the ultimate way to do it! Thanks much for stopping by!
Thank you for sharing this. I love when we can buy something and help others at the same time. I have made necklaces and used beads for Bead For Life. It helps women in Africa. I think it is so important for us to help others…
Thank you much Renee. I am super impressed with what this organization is doing. I love empowering artisans and this is the ultimate way to do it! Oh wow, that is nice! I would love to see what they look like. I bet they are stunning! Thanks much for stopping by!
Sue
Awe the vases, bowls and jewelry are so wonderful and what fills my heart is that is it helping the people of Rwanda. This is a great charity that without you I would never know about. The flowers are stunning as well.
Thanks Sue. I am super impressed with what this organization is doing. I love empowering artisans and this is the ultimate way to do it! Yes, the flowers are so beautiful and were so healthy and stunning! Thanks much for stopping by!
LISA CARPENTER
I had no idea such partnerships existed. Now the thought of ordering flowers won’t seem so expensive, knowing there’s a charitable component. Lovely handicrafts. Thank you for the enlightenment and lovely photos.
Thanks much Lisa, I wasn’t aware of it either and am so glad to have discovered them. I am super impressed with what this organization is doing. I love empowering artisans and this is the ultimate way to do it! Thanks much for stopping by!
Like Lisa, I had no idea about the partnership and agree that it will be a pleasure to order flowers for more than one reason now! I love the beautiful baskets and bangles too. Thank you for sharing this information Carolann!
Thanks Elin, They are the most beautiful flowers I’ve ever received. And the cause is dear to my heart. Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a wonderful day tomorrow.
Thanks Cathy, They are the most beautiful flowers I’ve ever received. And the cause is dear to my heart. Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a wonderful day tomorrow.
Wow I also had no idea of this partnership.another great reason to order ! I absolutely love the bowls. Everything is lovely but the bowls really won me over. Thank you for bringing awareness to this.
Hi Heather, I am so moved by the work they are doing. It really touches my heart to see artisans empowered like that. I love the bowls too and have them on my wishlist. Thanks so much Heather. It’s a great cause for sure.
Carolann xo
Appreciate you bringing awareness to these organizations through your blog. I like those bangles. The tassel adds a modern touch. Please feel free to link this at my party tomorrow so others can learn about these organizations.
Thanks so much Michelle, I love what this organization is doing. I will be sure to add this to your linky. Thanks so much for the reminder to do so.
We are seeing more and more partnerships like this and I love it. The products are fabulous! I love the bowls, too. And of course, who doesn’t like flowers?
thank you Carol. I am so moved by the work they are doing. And yes, flowers are loved by us all so it’s a win-win!
I love those bracelets and the idea that they are helping someone else make a life for themselves and their family is wonderful.
Hi Leanne, I love them too! I am super impressed with what this organization is doing. I love empowering artisans and this is the ultimate way to do it! Thanks much for stopping by!
Thank you for sharing this. I love when we can buy something and help others at the same time. I have made necklaces and used beads for Bead For Life. It helps women in Africa. I think it is so important for us to help others…
Thank you much Renee. I am super impressed with what this organization is doing. I love empowering artisans and this is the ultimate way to do it! Oh wow, that is nice! I would love to see what they look like. I bet they are stunning! Thanks much for stopping by!
Awe the vases, bowls and jewelry are so wonderful and what fills my heart is that is it helping the people of Rwanda. This is a great charity that without you I would never know about. The flowers are stunning as well.
Thanks Sue. I am super impressed with what this organization is doing. I love empowering artisans and this is the ultimate way to do it! Yes, the flowers are so beautiful and were so healthy and stunning! Thanks much for stopping by!
I had no idea such partnerships existed. Now the thought of ordering flowers won’t seem so expensive, knowing there’s a charitable component. Lovely handicrafts. Thank you for the enlightenment and lovely photos.
Thanks much Lisa, I wasn’t aware of it either and am so glad to have discovered them. I am super impressed with what this organization is doing. I love empowering artisans and this is the ultimate way to do it! Thanks much for stopping by!
Like Lisa, I had no idea about the partnership and agree that it will be a pleasure to order flowers for more than one reason now! I love the beautiful baskets and bangles too. Thank you for sharing this information Carolann!
Thanks Elin, They are the most beautiful flowers I’ve ever received. And the cause is dear to my heart. Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a wonderful day tomorrow.
Lovely products. I especially like the bowls. And I love how purchasing these things of beauty helps people in need. Thanks for sharing, Carolann!
Thanks Cathy, They are the most beautiful flowers I’ve ever received. And the cause is dear to my heart. Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a wonderful day tomorrow.
Wow I also had no idea of this partnership.another great reason to order ! I absolutely love the bowls. Everything is lovely but the bowls really won me over. Thank you for bringing awareness to this.
Hi Heather, I am so moved by the work they are doing. It really touches my heart to see artisans empowered like that. I love the bowls too and have them on my wishlist. Thanks so much Heather. It’s a great cause for sure.
Carolann xo