A Gift for Two Women this Mother's Day

Every sale through online florist, Angkor Flowers & Crafts goes towards providing free professional training in floristry, business and retail skills to migrant and refugee women from such countries as Cambodia, Thailand, and Burma.

With these skills and new-found confidence, they are then able to pursue further training or employment that aligns with their personal dreams and interests.

As a social worker, founder, 34 year old Sophea Chea, witnessed first-hand the many obstacles refugee and immigrant women faced such as language barriers, domestic violence, lack of education and family support.

“With limited English and a lack of skills, they are often made to feel like their only choice is to stay-at-home and look after their children and husbands. It is hard for them to know where to get help and how to take that first step to changing their lives,” Sophea said.

Having migrated from Cambodia eight years ago, Sophea established Angkor Flowers & Crafts to offer a practical way to empower and support these disadvantaged women, especially those who are long-term unemployed.

Many of the women juggle the training and work with looking after their children and as a mother to a teenage girl herself, Sophea is mindful of offering flexible hours within school hours.

One of the women who has been helped by the program is mother of two, Phary from Cambodia who now plays a role in leading and teaching the other women.

 

 

 

 

“Working at Angkor Flowers has helped me build up my confidence and skills so that I can have a better quality of life.  I am also showing my children what working in a good job can achieve.  I have been so lucky to be a part of this program and hope that many other women will be given the same opportunity.”

Currently Angkor Flowers employs five women on a job-share and project basis. A group of 10 women is about to start their second year of floristry training, where they will also learn business and retail skills.  The training is largely supported by the online sales of bouquets and homemade gifts as well as from a financial grant from the Macquarie Group Foundation.

Sophea hopes that through the growth of her business, she will be able to employ more women or give them the confidence and business skills to gain useful employment elsewhere.

Angkor Flowers & Crafts has a full range of beautiful and unique bouquets and arrangements designed especially for Mothers. This year they are featuring green Singapore orchids, pink lilies, gerberas, white daisies, pink lisianthus, lavender and of course the sentimental favourites roses and carnations in a beautiful array of colours. Order online at www.angkorflowers.com.au and give the gift to two wonderful women this Mother’s Day.

For further details, interviews, images contact:

Joanne Ryan, Infodec Communications:   9531 5595 or 0421 159 866

 

 

ABOUT ANGKOR FLOWERS & CRAFTS – Helping disadvantaged women bloom

 

·        Angkor Flowers & Crafts was founded by Sophea Chea in 2014.  Sophea migrated to Australia from Cambodia with her family in 2007 to undertake an MBA.  As well as establishing Angkor Flowers & Gifts, Sophea works as a social worker supporting the resettlement process of new immigrants.

·        Angkor Flowers employs qualified florists to provide training and guidance.  Trainees are given professional training in floristry as well as personal development training to build their language skills, confidence and self-esteem.

·        Current trainees include women from Cambodia, China, Burma and Thailand.

 

·        The floristry course is open to women from non-English speaking backgrounds and runs over two school terms during school hours.

 

·        The next course will be held at Cabramatta Public School starting Thursday April 28.