At Bohemian Flowers in Naivasha, the workday starts early. Yet for mothers like Teresa, there is comfort in knowing their babies are safe, well-fed, and taken care of in a crèche funded through Fairtrade Premium investments.

A small sign at the entrance reads ‘Toa viatu’ (remove your shoes). Outside, shoes of all sizes line up, marking the entrance to a place of care. Inside, lullabies and laughter fill the air. With three children to raise, the crèche gives peace of mind to Teresa Wairimu Kinyua.

For Teresa, the Fairtrade Premium has touched every part of her family's life. Her eldest receives a bursary, her second child benefits from a school feeding program, and her youngest is cared for at the crèche.

Her routine includes dropping off her child at the crèche, where caregivers ensure proper care, meals, and hygiene. “I am comfortable knowing my child is safe.”

The crèche, run by six caregivers, provides essential care from 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. If a child falls ill, the crèche quickly informs the parent and provides medical support if necessary.

Bohemian Flowers employs over 3,300 workers, half of whom are women. Their Head of HR, Lorin Kimunyu, says:

“Mothers returning from maternity leave have one hour per day to breastfeed their children up to 10 months, and they’re paid for eight hours even if they work for seven. The crèche boosts productivity and peace of mind.”

About Bohemian Flowers

The Bohemian Flowers Limited is a Kenyan owned floriculture company established in 1969. Located at the shores of Lake Naivasha, Bohemian Flowers Limited is one of the most well respected and renowned flower farms in the world due to its corporate social responsibility, concern for the environment and steady growth in production.

With an employment of just under 5,000 workers, the farm produces an impressive number of 350 million stems per year. The farm subscribes and implements a negotiated and sector specific collective bargaining agreement which spells out better terms and conditions compared to the national minimums and the general flower sector.