| 7. Edison and the Jewellery |
| |
| 1. Luzmila and the Teddy Bears |
Luzmila Quispe represents the artisans of artisans'
association “Inti”. She is a single mother and she lives with
her 2 daughters and grandson in the rural village of Juliaca in
the southern Peruvian Andes. |
| |
Luzmila is now able to help her daughters and send her
grandson to school thanks to Fair Trade. She also has hopes
for simple improvements for her family. |
| |
As Luzmila, there are more than 500 artisans that knit the
Alpaca Teddy Bears. The artisans are spread throughout 4
rural Andean Communities. These communities are
democratic organizations governed by their members, who
get equitable benefits and who are able to participate in
policy and decision-making. |
| |
| 2. Wilber and the Ocarinas |
Wilber Huaccanqui is one of 40 artisans who make ocarinas
in the remote village of Pisaq in southern Peru. He is part of
the association of artisans called “Turumaki”. |
| |
Wilber and his co-workers hand make and colour intricate
pieces of ocarinas using traditional designs and techniques.
“Our work enables us to preserve the art that we have
inherited from our ancestors which nobody knows how old
are they” Wilber says. |
| |
With profits from Fair Trade, Wilber's association recently
expanded its workshop and is constructing better housing for
its members. |
| |
| 3. Mercedes and the Alpaca garments |
Mercedes Pilco lives and works in Juliaca, Puno in Peru.
Since she remembers, she has knit intricate alpaca designs
for her and her family during her spare time. |
| |
Today, Mercedes and other farmer women in her village
joyfully share their daily routine with knitting activities. They
are very happy that their products are sold beyond their
homes and lives, in countries as far as Japan. She aspires,
as one of her friend already did, to visit these unknown
places. |
| |
“Thanks to Fair Trade we have access to the Internet, which
has helped to improve the quality of our products... and of
course! The quality of our lives ”, Mercedes said. |
| |
4. Maximiliana and the Baskets |
Maximiliana Utrilla and a group of 4 other women started the
Artisans' Association “Primavera” in 1991. The Association
“Primavera”, whose name means "Spring," is located in the
town of Huacho, near Lima. |
| |
None of them could find work because of the economic
situation of the country, so these skilled women joined
together to create a group to make and sell their
traditional baskets. Today the Association provides
job opportunities for 8 women artisans. |
| |
Since they got involved in Fair Trade several years ago,
their models have evolved into stylish ones, however
the production process made by hand remains basically the same. |
| |
5. Jose and the Ceramics |
Jose Paz, married with 4 kids, lives in the village of
Chulucanas in the northern Peru. Jose's kids are able to
attend school full time thanks to his father's participation
in Fair Trade. |
| |
For 10 years, his association, Nuevo Vicus, has been
part of the Fair Trade network. “Our standard
of living has dramatically changed and our
association is more organized and stronger since we got
involved in Fair Trade” states Jose. |
| |
Jose is one of 800 pottery artisans, which are
spread throughout Peru. The art represents different styles
and cultures that everyone aspires to maintain for many
generations to come. |
| |
6. Benito and the Musical Instruments |
Benito Tito and his whole family continue the tradition of
producing various musical instruments. He is a specialist in
Quenas and Pan flutes (Andean flutes). |
| |
"I play the Quena and other instruments as an expert
although I have not attended to school" he proudly states.
The flutes are made of Castilla reed and a kind of cane
called "Carrizo". The "Carrizo" grows in the banks of lakes
and lagoons from the Andes. They also fabricate Pre-
Columbian drums that are made of the tree barks, wood,
gourd and sheepskin. |
| |
"We are very grateful to Fair Trade promoters
who fairly trade our instruments. This way we
can spread Peruvian art and our traditions, and
also live a better life. I am proud that some
of my children are attending university. Fair trade has
changed our lives." Benito said. |
| |
7. Edison and the Jewellery
|
Edison Ramos, 40 years old, was born in Huamachuco, La
Libertad, in the northern coast of Peru, where the famous
pre-Columbian jewellery workers lived more
than two thousand years ago. |
| |
“I have been working with jewellery since I was
17 years old. Nobody taught me. I developed
my own ideas to create new designs trying to
combine metals with stones. I do not think I
could do any other type of work”, Edison said. |
| |
Edison used to sell cheaply his products on the
streets, in the parks and outside tourist hotels.
When Edison started to be involved with Fair Trade
way in which he worked changed radically. Product
development, regular orders, loans to buy tools and materials
are part of the benefits Edison now receives through Fair Trade. |
