SWEET BEGINNINGS

SWEET BEGINNINGS // RAT Valentine

We had the great opportunity to visit a local farm near the O’Hare airport which produces honey. This place is exceptional because it gives people jobs and a chance to start a new life. Full of 4 500 bees kept in the backyard, the little production can be proud of itself. It doesn’t only produce fresh honey but it also offers to customers skin cares of quality. Maureen, the assistant manager explained us that proceeding that way was a chance for employees to get transferable skills. They touch to every domain, science for composition of products, marketing and customers relationships for local markets. The company is also a fervent defender of environment, using only fresh and bio products. Everything is “made home”. They have their own little tips to make bees produce more honey.

People who never had a job in their entire life can now discover something new and different. With 57% adults with a criminal background in the neighborhood, it is difficult to get out of this system. But they are still trying, putting the human side ahead the money. We didn’t meet a lot of employees who were there more than 1 year. It is because this company provides them training so they can find another job and let others enjoy the same chance they had. All of them are really proud to be part of this, and all of them realize how lucky they are. But still, even everything they’ve been through, they keep talking to you about their experience, with the biggest smile I’ve ever seen.

Actually, I kept talking how lucky they are, but I was the lucky to meet these amazing persons.