Tarya, an undocumented migrant from Cameroon, Ami, an asylum seeker from Ivory Coast, and Matoumona, a, asylum seeker from DR Congo take part in the weekly workshop run by Du Pain & des Roses. Lucile (right) is one of the florists teaching them the art of floral decoration | Photo: Mehdi Chebil A floral workshop has been set up in the French capital to help female refugees and other vulnerable women win back their confidence by teaching them the delicate art of flower arrangement. The French charity Du Pain & des Roses (Bread & Roses) runs the workshop once a week in an accommodation center in eastern Paris. For the women attending the workshop, the classes offer a breath of fresh air, and sometimes, the start of a new career. InfoMigrants reports. “It makes me happy to use my hands and work with flowers. I love this feeling,” Ami* gushes as she sorts the chrysanthemums, eucalyptus leaves and carrot flowers that are spread out in front of her on a table. All in all, there are 10 women taking part in today’s floral conception workshop, which is held at the Merice accommodation and social rehabilitation center (CHRS) in Paris’ 11th arrondissement. Three years ago, 38-year-old Ami had never seen such a variety of flowers. In her native Ivory Coast, these type of flowers are either extremely rare, or don’t grow at all. Ami left her homeland in 2016 after being forced to marry a man against her will. Her husband then wanted both her and her daughter to undergo female circumcision. “I refused, and so he picked up a knife and threatened me,” Ami recounts, adding that she is still waiting for a decision on her asylum application. Ami says the floral decoration workshop offers her a breath of […]