Strong Hands: Women Fighting Poverty with Clay

The project continues to grow as an important opportunity for women in the indigenous community of Piruaj Bajo to develop their skills, generate income, and strengthen their connection with the cultural traditions of their territory.

The group, made up of 10 women, has been working on the production of handmade ceramic pieces inspired by the natural environment and cultural identity of the community. Through different training sessions, they have learned new techniques for modeling clay and creating both functional and decorative pieces, including traditional vessels and animals.

Until now, the women have worked outdoors, often under a tree, without an adequate space to protect their materials and finished products. This has been one of the main limitations to the growth of their activity.

We are very happy to share that we have now begun construction of their new workspace. This is a major step forward for the project. In approximately two months, we expect to complete the construction and officially inaugurate the space together with the women and the community.

The new workshop will allow the Ceramists of the Forest to professionalize their work, providing them with a safe and permanent place to produce and protect their ceramic pieces. It will also give them, for the first time, a physical space where they can display and sell their products, making it easier to reach visitors and potential customers.

The workspace will become much more than a building. It will be a place where the women can develop their skills, work together, preserve their cultural knowledge, and create new economic opportunities for their families.

We are deeply grateful to the donors who have made this progress possible. Their support is helping transform an activity that began informally under a tree into a sustainable initiative that can strengthen the autonomy and economic opportunities of women in Piruaj Bajo.