Providing education for 50 Kichwa artisans

Over the course of two months, the volunteers and the community accomplished a lot! The volunteers worked with the broom-makers to help build a workshop and develop a sustainable way of harvesting piassaba fibers for use in the brooms. They also worked with the artisan group to acquire land and streamline their process of basket production. Additionally, the volunteers spent time in the community:
-Teaching English-language classes: The volunteers taught English throughout their stay at local schools and in Chazuta.
-Working on resolving a wastewater leak: while in Chazuta, the volunteers became aware of a wastewater leak. In their spare time, they dug trenches to divert the flow away from the community.
-Participating in a community work day: the volunteers built “stairs” to better transportation in the community and accomplished various other small tasks.

One of our volunteers, Ben, describes the last few days: "One of our biggest goals was creation of a broom factory to house machinery and supplies for the company.  While the factory was not quite set up at time of our departure, we were able to see the first machines set in place and, excitingly, the partial manufacture of the first brooms!  We held a small ceremony in which a substantial portion of the company associates were present, and Lucia, John, and the head of the company talked a bit about the future of the company.  The brooms were made, the ribbon was cut, and drinks were handed around in celebration.  We look forward to pictures as they finish the machinery setup and the construction of a pavilion to complete the factory.

We were also able to create for them a simple logo and present it to them for their approval.  Upon approval, we set about trying to find an iron hot-stamp to incinerate the logo into the wooden “taco” (attachment point for the bristles) of the broom.  Tarapoto did not have the amenities for such a stamp so we left the logo with Lucia to create from iron workshops in Lima.  Meanwhile, we took the initiative to paint a colorful version of the logo onto the front of the first building on their plot of land, and I must say I was quite pleased with its quality!  We hope it will serve as a new face for the company and potential visitors to the community.

Looking back, its heartwarming to think how all the work from the past month came together to help this community get their first communal business started.  From attending meetings and planning, to painting and gathering wood from the forest, and everything in between, I can say for certain that helping this community has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.  Most especially, I will never forget the relationships forged with community members.  I await my departure, but I also leave a piece behind to always remember the impact I made and, more impressionably, the impact made on me."

Thank you so much for your support!