doTERRA Vietnamese Eucalyptus sourcing

(doTERRA Lemon Eucalyptus Cō-Impact Sourcing)

Through its Vietnamese Eucalyptus project, doTERRA supports local farmers as part of sustainable sourcing. Sustainable sourcing is very important in doTERRA's way of thinking, so in this article we introduce one of these projects. 

In 2023, doTERRA reviewed the impact of its sourcing in relation to Vietnamese Eucalyptus. Total number of people affected by the project: 102,361 — this represents the broadest measured impact.

• People supported through jobs: 5,578
• People supported through jobs, including family members: 21,196
• Number of people reached through social projects: 81,164

Why Kenya?

Vietnamese Eucalyptus essential oil comes from the leaves of the Vietnamese eucalyptus tree, also known in loose English translation as the “lemon-scented gum tree” and the “blue spotted gum tree.” To produce the highest-quality Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil, the leaves need plenty of sunlight, and the trees grow best in a warm, humid tropical environment.

The harvesting process

Vietnamese Eucalyptus plant material is collected in a similar way to Tea Tree essential oil: the whole tree is cut so that new shoots can grow the following year. After the tree is cut, the leaves are collected for distillation. The leaves are processed by steam distillation to obtain the essential oil.

Social impact stories: smallholder farmers in Kenya

Mwatumbi and his wife have 10 children, most of whom attend primary school. He says: “I am grateful that the harvests have allowed me to plan ahead in my life. I am able to pay school fees for my children. They have never been sent away from school because the school fees could not be paid. When I harvest, I am able to pay tuition for two terms. I have also bought livestock. I currently have 27 cows and goats.”

Behind the doTERRA bottle | Meet Mwatumbi

Quote from the farmer:

“My name is Philomena Chonyi, and I come from Mivumoni in Kwale County, Kenya. I joined the farmers' programme in 2016, and I am happy to say that huge changes have taken place in my life since joining. For example, I used to live in a house roofed with palm leaves, but I have now been able to upgrade it with corrugated metal sheeting. I have also reinforced my home with pillars. I will continue working with [doTERRA's sourcing partners] because they have helped me grow economically — my children can now go to school.”

Social impact stories: community support

The doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation® has funded several projects in Kenya, including:

• Construction of additional classrooms and restrooms at Kiwegu Primary School.
• Construction of a school library, water tank, staff room, restrooms and teachers' housing at Mwamose Primary School, as well as the provision of scholarships.
• Construction of the Mwena River bridge, enabling the community and schoolchildren to cross the local river.
• Construction of the Majengo Mapya Nursery School.
• Construction of a community centre.
• Indigenous culture and health training for 2,000 schoolchildren.
• Colobus Conservation, which provides education and helps replant native trees.
• The Mwamose Water Point — a community well and water tower.
• The Water Maintenance Trust, which conducts ongoing research and maintains community water sources.

Water connection to Kiwegu Primary School.

 

In 2021, the following programmes and initiatives were carried out:

• “Packages for girls” were sent to 1,000 girls in Lunga Lunga.
• 6,000 people were supported through the water connection to Kiwegu.
• 2,000 students received support through a school water connection.
• 12 students were supported with scholarships. The scholarships covered secondary-school tuition and school-related expenses.
• 80 girls were supported through the Girls on Fire leadership training programme.

Scholarship students and their parents were supported.

 In addition to donations from the doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation, a community development fund has been established in Kenya. For every kilogram of essential oil produced by the farming cooperatives, a portion is set aside in a fund managed independently by the cooperatives, helping to finance larger development projects.

Source: doTERRA Source to You - sourcetoyou.com/en/stories/story/lemon-eucalyptus

Source: https://www.doterra.com/US/en/lemon-eucalyptus-oil-education