Ornamental flowers enrich vulnerable families.

Blooming flowers and warm smiles welcomed Mr. David McLachlan-Karr, the Regional Director of the UN Development Coordination Office for Asia and the Pacific, as he stepped out of the car to greet women growers of the Fa'alapotopotoga o Aiga Ma'ale'ale (FAMA).

FAMA is an association of vulnerable families with low-income backgrounds living in the urban areas of Samoa.

Malaeolela Valerie Tuia, a member of FAMA who led the welcoming party, introduced David to the women growers of the association. 

David, who hails from Queensland, Australia, and comes from a family with a farming history, felt an immediate connection with these passionate growers. 

Each woman had a unique story. About the challenges they faced as urban families, due to the impacts of climate change, limited urban land availability, and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yet, they all share a common goal, which is to improve their livelihoods, through their love for gardening unique and exotic flowers. 

Listening intently, David was inspired by how their struggles had turned into ingenuity. Valerie explained how they came together to explore opportunities for project assistance to support their passion for growing and marketing high-value exotic ornamental varieties to generate income.

In 2023, the Global Environment Facility – Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP) UNDP,  awarded the FAMA with a grant to implement their "Women leading community ornamental project for improved livelihoods." This project focuses on high-value exotic orchids, in high demand locally and usually sold between $150 to $300 Samoan Tala per plant. 

The FAMA members under this project, have received essential training, and tools including greenhouse materials, sprayers, wheelbarrows, and shovels. 

David was then invited to tour one of the greenhouses operated by Kaloline Key Schuster, where he observed the meticulous care given to each plant. 

Kaloline proudly showcased her thriving orchids, sharing how she earned over $1,000 Samoan Tala weekly, from selling these exquisite flowers, with each orchid fetching around $130 Samoan Tala.

"This project has transformed our lives," Kaloline said with a smile. "We are grateful to the GEF SGP UNDP for this opportunity. The income from selling orchids supports our families, even during tough times like cyclones and floods."

“Right now, we are selling the flowers but we look forward to the second phase of our project, where we will sell the orchid plants themselves, so other vulnerable women can also buy from us and grow their own ornamental gardens,” Kaloline added.

"We've now included vegetables to support food security for our women," Karoline added,” but tending to these flowers brings happiness that is crucial for our mental well-being."

Moved by their dedication and resilience, David saw how their work provided not just financial stability but also community and purpose and he kindly acknowledged the crucial role that the GEF SGP UNDP, has played in empowering these women to enhance their livelihoods and improve the vulnerabilities of their families and communities.