THE END OF A SEASON : A REFLECTION ON HARVESTING ROSEHIP

As we closed out the year, I found myself reflecting on the past rosehip harvesting season. This year, I had the unique opportunity to spend more time in the mountains of Lesotho than usual. It’s not every year that I get the opportunity to regularly visit the wild rosehip harvesters, but this season was different. We had more visitors and client-investors than ever before, all eager to be shown firsthand how we harvest this incredible fruit.

These visits gave me the chance to get out into the fields and spend time with the women who dedicate their time to wild-harvesting rosehips. These women, living high in the mountains, not only provide us with this powerful fruit but also benefit financially from this gift of nature. It’s a humbling and eye-opening experience.

A Journey Through the Mountains

Winding through the mountain roads in our air-conditioned vehicle only made the contrast between our lives and those of the women working the land even more striking. Rosehips grow wild in these rugged mountains, and during the winter months, it’s the local communities—mostly women—who gather them.

But here’s the thing: despite the differences in our circumstances, the similarities are just as powerful. As I spent time with these women, it became clear that while our lives might be worlds apart, our basic human needs are the same. We all seek safety, security, community, and the acknowledgment of our hard work.

While waiting for a lift to the fields, one conversation turned to the ways they spend the money they earn from harvesting rosehips. Most of the women are mothers, and their priorities are simple yet vital: food, clothing, and the ever-growing costs of education. Many of the younger women are hoping to save enough to return to the city and take courses in sewing or business so they can improve their lives and secure a brighter future.

The talk then shifted to mother-in-laws, which, in Lesotho, is an interesting topic. Tradition dictates that after marriage, a woman moves to her husband’s village to live under the rules of her mother-in-law. The conversation that followed was filled with laughter and nervous giggles, especially from the younger women who had their own mothers-in-law sitting in on the chat. But there were also heartwarming stories about how both the younger and older generations navigate their relationships, supporting and appreciating each other along the way.

A Shared Dedication to Family and Community

These moments of connection reminded me of something incredibly important—our shared humanity. I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude for these women, whose hard work and dedication to their families and communities make our rosehip products possible. Without them, there would be no rosehips. Without rosehips, there would be no seeds. And without those seeds, we wouldn’t have the precious rosehip oil that so many of us rely on for its incredible regenerative properties.

It’s a reminder of the interconnectedness of everything. The dedication of these women has far-reaching effects—not just for their families, but for the global community that benefits from their labor.

The Power of Rosehip Oil

The rosehip oil that we carefully press from these seeds is nothing short of remarkable. Rich in fatty acids like Linoleic Acid (an Omega-6 fatty acid) and Oleic Acid (an Omega-9 fatty acid), as well as vitamins A, E, and K, rosehip oil provides natural antioxidants that help shield your skin from free radicals—those unstable molecules that contribute to wrinkles and skin damage. It’s this powerful oil that brings the anti-aging benefits we’ve come to love.

Every bottle of Rozuri’s  Rosehip Oil carries with it not just the nurturing properties of nature but also the hard work, wisdom, and care of the women who harvest the rosehips.

A Shared Gratitude

So, the next time you use Rozuri’s Rosehip Oil, I encourage you to take a moment to send a little gratitude to the women who make it all possible. I can assure you that they, too, are filled with gratitude for the people who use our products and support their work. It's a full circle of appreciation—a beautiful exchange between women, nature, and the global community.

All My love 

Catherine