Our project works with rural indigenous women in the South of Chile, near the city of Temuco. These families are categorized as destitute. The Chol-Chol Foundation, an IFAT (International Fair Trade) member, works with groups of women to help them develop their traditional weaving skills. Women participating in the courses will be able to sell their products through our organization to the world markets.
Rural Mapuche families are marginalised from society in Chile, live below the minimum income and are classified as destitute. We provide them with skills that will allow them to continue their rural existence on small plots of land, retaining their culture, but ensuring their financial survival.
The project will help train women to improve their textile skills to a point where the quality, design and uniform consistency will allow us to sell them to a broader commercial market. By means of a micro-loans, these women will receive assistance in purchasing raw materials, while a rotating fund provides them consistent salaries for their work.
The program will allow families to have a greater income, with the hope that children will not have to be taken out of school, thus breaking the cycle of poverty and lack of education in these communities.
