BOGOTA, Colombia, Feb 04, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via
COMTEX/ -- The National Retail Federation estimates more
than a third of Americans (35.9 percent) will purchase flowers
this year to celebrate Valentine's Day. What many sweethearts
may not realize is flower purchases help to support displaced
families thousands of miles away. The Colombian Association
of Flower Exporters, Asocolflores, supports a program to
provide assistance to Colombian families who have been forcefully
displaced from their homes.
As an industry, we are committed to any programs that will
help to support the people of our country," said Augusto
Solano, President of Asocolflores. "The School of Floriculture
gives Colombian families the unique opportunity to earn
back their independence and dignity. And flower purchasers
help to support this initiative by simply buying and enjoying
beautiful flowers."
The School of Floriculture promotes the creation of jobs
and allows participants to earn an income and start a new
life. Beneficiaries begin the training process and join
Asocolflores member companies as apprentices receiving a
salary while they train in flower production techniques.
After one year, apprentices may choose to accept a permanent
job in the company.
With an investment of US $1.8 million, the School of Floriculture
has benefited more than 1,631 families to date. In addition
to funding and assistance from Asocolflores and member farms,
the program counts on financial and technical support from
the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) and financial
resources from the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID).
Alex Monsalve's Story
Alex Monsalve, once a displaced person, is now a floriculture
worker. Alex was able to help his family get ahead in life
despite being forced from his home, one of the most difficult
situations one can live through as a human being. And just
like him, there are thousands of Colombians living in the
countryside surrounding big cities such as Bogota, Medellin,
Pereira and Cali, who have been able to give their children
a future thanks to jobs in the flower industry, one of the
agrooindustrial sectors offering workers new opportunities.
"In July of 2004, I was displaced by violence from
the Department of Antioquia. It was hard to leave behind
everything I had worked a lifetime to achieve. Even more
so, I have a family and did not know what the future would
bring. I arrived at a cousin's house in Madrid, Cundinamarca,
in Colombia, with my family, who a few months before had
gone through much of the same experience. Although my cousin
offered us help and support, he was just starting to get
back on his feet as well."
"In the meantime, I began looking for a job, but my
lack of experience in the cultivation of flowers kept me
from getting my foot in the door of the floriculture industry.
I worked odd jobs, but it was difficult because I was a
day worker without a fixed income."
In November 2004, my cousin mentioned a program that aids
families who have been displaced from their homes, the School
of Floriculture. It all seemed like a bunch of pipe dreams
and idle talk. He told me that a group of people from SENA
Human Resources visit the companies to take people under
their wing to help them learn and train in their field.
The tricky part was getting through the interview. With
nothing to lose, I showed up at the appointed hour and took
a tough comprehensive test. They talked to me about the
Floriculture School, what its mission is, the commitments
involved, responsibilities taken and benefits to be had."
"I'm now a floriculture worker in Colombia, the main
supplier of fresh-cut flowers to the United States, and
one of the most important suppliers to Europe, Russia and
Japan. I'm glad to be working in an industry that generates
thousands of jobs and offers a positive image of Colombia,
a country seeking a new future."
Established in 1973 to represent the interests of the Colombian
flower growers in world markets, the Colombian Association
of Flower Exporters (Asocolflores) represents more than
70 percent of total Colombian flowers exports. For more
information, visit http://www.asocolflores.org and http://www.florverde.org.
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