GGs Flowers is not your ordinary florist. Yes, they create beautiful arrangements and can even deliver to your door, but they’re also a socially sustainable florist – one of its kind in the ACT.
Geetha Wijewickrema was concerned about what employment opportunities her youngest daughter would have when she finishes school.
15-year-old Gayana is a fun, bubbly young lady with a penchant for frozen yoghurt and wearing onesies. Gayana also has Down syndrome.
Geetha became a fully accredited and trained florist, and created GG’s Flowers. Gayana was the first employee added to the books. Working at GGs provides Gayana with the sort of independence that only paid employment can offer. It also equips Gayana with a variety of skills and knowledge, should she choose to branch out to a different area of work down the track.
The tagline of GG’s Flowers is Flowers with a Purpose. The aim of their business is to sell enough flowers to be able to employ many other young disabled people, giving them a purpose in life as well as independence and paid employment. The more flowers GG’s sell, the more people they can hire. GG’s currently works out of a private studio in Canberra’s south, but are hoping to have a beautiful shopfront one day, hopefully in the near future.
Ordering flowers from GGs isn’t like ordering flowers from any other florist. Not only are you helping support young people with disabilities, the person you ordered flowers for will get an extra surprise – completely free of charge. When the flowers arrive, they will be delivered by Gayana with a big, bright smile. If that wasn’t enough, prepare to get the warmest bear hug you’ve ever had. Gayana loves her customers and wants them to feel as much love as she feels every single day. If you have a pet dog, Gayana would love to meet him or her and give them a pat. It may even earn you an extra cuddle or two!
As Gayana’s big sister Nip says, the establishment of GG’s Flowers found a way to combine a business with Gayana’s innate love of meeting people. GG’s Flowers even made a special delivery to Chief Minister Katy Gallagher!
GG’s Flowers gives Gayana a bright future, and hopefully will ensure the same for many more people living with disability in the ACT.
GG’s Flowers deliver to all suburbs in the ACT and specialise in floral arrangements, corsages, bouquets, gift boxes, and hampers. GG’s can also provide flowers for weddings and funerals.
Visit the GG’s Flowers Facebook page here
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