One Person Can Make a Difference

"Indigenous Crafts from Bolivia began with my dream of connecting with an artisan group from a developing country, purchasing their crafts and selling them in Canada. The idea appealed to me because it seemed practical, tangible and achievable; it was a way to combine my enterprising skills and helping values. I actually realized this dream in 2004 when I travelled to Bolivia with a small group of Canadian women. My travel companions encouraged me. My Spanish lessons paid off because I was able to communicate with the group leaders. I returned to Canada, with my suitcases full of the crafts I had purchased from Ayni and Artesania Sorata. With the proper documentation in hand to pass through customs, I launched my new and unique import business!"

- Sue Berlove, telling the story of the first steps in her fair trade venture

The Indigenous Culture of the Andes

Bolivia is a landlocked country in southwestern South America and sits astride the Andes Mountains. A large segment of its population is made up of individuals from the Aymara and Quechuan cultures - both indigenous to Bolivia. These cultures believe they are descendants of the Incas. As a result of inter marrying Spaniards (creating a subgroup referred to, pejoratively, as Indians) and illiteracy the descendants of the Incas now fall at the bottom of the social and economic hierarchy. Therefore, preserving their cultural identity through the production of traditional crafts is an important form of self-expression. The crafts we sell reflect the indigenous culture: embroidered cards, bookmarks and small pouches depict traditional lifestyle. Our purses are made from Aguayo

- a traditional textile from the Andes.

Anyi Bolivia

Anyi Bolivia is a network of indigenous artisans from across Bolivia. It helps women gain self esteem by teaching them the skills necessary to become wage earners for their families. It also enables many artisans to remain in rural communities, thus avoiding the trap of urban poverty.

Members of the network make a moral commitment to participate, based on the ethics of Anyi — a self-help system used in pre-colonial times by Aymara and Quechuan people.

There are currently 200 full time artists and 300 who work part time. Individual and small groups of artisans produce various types of handicrafts that reflect their native cultures. These handcrafts are produced locally and sent to La Paz, where the retail and exporting business is coordinated

In addition to providing artisans access to large retail and export markets, the Ayni leadership team also teaches the artists small business skills, helps with the production of their crafts, and gives them ideas about how market themselves locally.

Ayni produces a range of products that include the use of intricate embroidery, traditional weaving and the production of finger puppets in unique knit carrying bags.

Artesania Sorata

The continued westernization of the South has caused indigenous crafts and traditions to be lost. Twenty-five years ago, in Sorata, Bolivia, the Aymara men were working away from home for little pay in the gold mines. There were few opportunities for the women to earn extra money other than by baking bread and exchanging it in town for potatoes. The weaving skills that their ancestors employed, were almost forgotten. In addition, there was little education, health care was mistrusted and people had no awareness of their rights.

Diane Bellomy, a westerner wishing to live simply with the Aymarans, started a textile workshop with the women, helping them to develop lost skills and abilities. Wall hangings and rag dolls from wool and antique fabrics were the first products to be made.

More craftspeople became involved, skills developed and Artesania Sorata now produces knitwear, incorporating symbols from their culture and designs mirroring their surroundings. It employees 150 women from the cities of LaPaz and El Alto and the town of Sorata. The women use a drop spindle to weave the wool, which is dyed using vegetable colors from carrot tops, herbs and walnuts. Each piece of work is an individual creation, and many are signed, bringing producer and purchaser closer.

There are centers in La Paz, El Alto and Sorata, with the products finding a market both locally and overseas. The artisans involved have found a new sense of dignity and renewed pride in their traditions and culture. There are literacy programs, classes on women's issues and health education, and support work with homeless children.

Children benefit from the activity of their artisan mothers—whose income goes to provide them with an education and proper healthcare.