Divine School, Promoting consumption of Flowers locally

Flowers are the most adorable plant species in the whole world, they communicate a message of joy, hope and love. Presenting a bouquet of flowers to the sick in hospital enlightens their souls with the urge of them getting better. Likewise they do convey a message of love and excites the heart when one receives them from a loved one. Indeed, roses are a powerful tool of communication.

Having traversed to different countries, Sue Muriuki got enlightened about the roses she saw in the western world. She could not connect how stunning the flowers were, and to add on it all when they had been perfectly bunched for presentation.This actually motivated her to develop a passion for flowers. She was really attracted by their charming beauty and on more enquiry on the roses, she discovered they are from her very own mother country, Kenya.

This discovery struck and made her come back to the Country to enlighten her fellow country folks on the bunching of flowers and how they were being carefully utilized by the Western people yet they are grown here.

‘’I decided to launch a school of educating florist on flower arrangement and decor course.We began operations ten years ago.The courses are very marketable as some of the students are able to get their school fees back in 3 months after graduating for just bunching flowers to the VIPs offices as well on wedding occasions as each bunch goes for almost 5,000,’’explained Muriuki.

“We explained to the organizers of the just concluded IFTEX how important it is to educate exhibitors as well as the visitors on flower arrangement and decor and with only that, we secured a free stand while others were paying for it,’’ Sue overwhelmingly said thanking the organizers.

Divine school, is the name she choose with name Divine meaning excellence. It is the only school offering formal education on flower bunching and presentation in East and Central Africa. The excellence of the school has seen it attract students from different countries such as Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Gambia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Congo, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, Seychelles as well as South Africa.

The School has changed the face of events in Kenya, and brought about professionalism and creativity, with the leading event planners being from the institution. It has continued to be the leader in this field and so far they have trained more than 900 students and have held four graduation ceremonies in Kenya.

Confidently, Sue takes us round a class that is in session to see for ourselves. We are introduced to the trainer demonstrating to the students who are keenly following on how to arrange flowers for holidays and weddings.

‘’This presentation is referred to us the Waterfall or the Cascaded bouquet, it has a falling effect at the front of the flowers. It is mostly used on the wedding occasions where the bride is expecting a baby,’’ taught the trainer.

Aspar grass is mostly used for this as it is long and provides the best falling effect and in its absence, ivy grass can be used as the bouquet is wrapped perfectly on a celephine paper.

Most of the flowers that are used during the lessons are sourced from the City Market which is near to the school and little transportation is used to ferry the flowers to the school.

A young lady has travelled all the way from Rwanda to Kenya to learn this noble course, she reveals to us that she loves flowers as well as decorations and Divine School is the  only one offering the course in the Region. Kenya to her is the only and the best country that grows different varieties of flowers in Africa.

The course has been developed in such a way that it has a curriculum entailing 22 units which the students undertake and at the end they are awarded a certificate after sitting for an exam. The duration of the course is 4 weeks and a fee of 36,000 shillings is required for one to enroll.

Another student from Zambia has not been left behind, she has enrolled for the course. For her, she loves flowers and the lessons are very interesting as they are mostly practical. She anticipates to come back to Kenya to study marketing as the natives are very good at it.

Other courses offered by the school are:

• Event management,
• Wedding planning,
• Etiquette protocol and personal branding,
• Waitering and ushering,
• Emotional intelligence,
• Public speaking and master of ceremony, and
• Table setting & centre piece course
• Enterpreneurship Course (ILO certification)

Sue Muriuki who doubles up as the founder and CEO of the school applauds the Government for advertising tenders of supplying Government offices with flowers and public events.

Divine School prides itself in producing exemplary successful individuals who are reaping high from the trainings. A point in case being Rosemary Teka of Prima Flora & Splendid Weddings. She enrolled for a wedding planning course where she attained her certificate and also graduated being top in her class. To Rosemary, the glow on a brides face when walking down the aisle and decor exceeds her expectations, is very fulfilling and makes her recall Divine School for the good certificate.

Muriuki urges for more awareness of the flowers in the country, not only to be assumed for export but also for local consumption as they will provide jobs to many youths as professional florist. She encourages all to have a passion and enthusiasm for what they do.

Ralph Waldo Emerson American Philosopher said Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all you might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.

The sky is indeed the limit for Divine School; as they provides a balanced environment, focused on making people work their way in having their own businesses. The school environment promotes order, independence, a love for learning, a connection to the world and a sense of social responsibility. Their courses offer individuals the opportunity to be all they can be and experience life to the full.