The Flor de Azalea Collective was created in 2002 from sex workers in Ecuador who felt the need to defend their human rights, raise their self-esteem, learn about their rights, protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections and empower themselves. In a context marked by violence from many actors including the mafia, the organisation secured their first grant from Red Umbrella Fund to organise several workshops, provide alimentation packages, carry out commuincation campaigns and cover some of their core costs.