As a child, Adelphine Abewe recalls her dislike for unattended and dried up plants as well as wrongly placed potted plants. She remembers finding joy in giving some of her mother’s plants to neighbors, friends and even strangers who would show interest in them. Abewe’s passion for green plants started while at a tender age, and she knew for a fact that one day her deep connection with plants would become a career. The inspiration The thirty year old said her mother being among the leaders in church, often planted flowers and different plants at home to ensure that anytime flowers or plants are needed in the church, she has what to take there. “Because of this, my mother made me in charge of her plants. She taught me how to till the garden and take care of every green living thing in that particular garden,” she said. The hospitality management graduate said that as a child, to some extent it was boring because it took most of her playing time. Adelphine Abewe with one of the potted plants. Photo: Courtesy. However, with time Abewe, who grew up in Kigali came to love the role and from there, she never stopped loving to take care of plants. “I came to realize that plants are important in our life not just for clean air, but also to relieve stress and decoration,” she added. In her teenage years, she started planting her own plants and would still give out as well to people. It is at this moment that she realized she can earn a living only if she doesn’t give out plants for free, but rather in the exchange of money. “I was encouraged and motivated by those that received my plants as they gave positive feedback. They challenged me to start selling them so that I can become independent on my own,” she noted. After doing her hospitality course, Abewe secured a job at Kigali Convention Center where she worked as a Meeting and Event Supervisor for a period of two years, before starting up her own plant business in 2018. About the enterprise Her plant business goes by the name El Amor Garden Kigali Ltd, based in Kigali, where they design office and home plants, herbs, vegetables, flower accessories and fruit seedlings as well. “We simply design an environment that promotes well-being by adding deep connection with nature to Restaurants, offices and Homes. “Doing what I love motivates others to attempt to do the same as opposed to being in a career that you had no passion in, is what keeps me going,” she said. Moving forward, Abewe said at the onset of her business, people didn’t appreciate her efforts and the business itself. Some will associate it for jobs for those people who didn’t go to school, and some would actually think only farmers in upcountry can handle such a business. “It’s fulfilling now since people are realizing that having plants around you is not only to conserve the environment but also, help add a nice touch of décor and bright energy to any indoor space, and this is the feedback that we normally get from some of our customers,” she said. Abewe’s work consists of designing an environment that promotes well-being by adding deep connection with nature to Restaurants, offices and Homes. She further cited transportation as a major challenge she is facing now as sometimes plants get broken in the process of transit. Abewe’s plants range from Rwf 5000 to Rwf 20,000 depending on the type of the plant, the size and design of the plant.
