Asociacion Civil Awamaki

We work with indigenous quechua artisans in the andes of peru to teach them to run their own businesses so they can connect to markets, earn a living and provide for their families. Women in the rural andes have low education levels and high poverty levels. Most have never been to school. However, they are skilled artisans. We work with 9 women's artisan cooperatives to provide craft quality training, leadership training, business training and training in how to host tourists in their villages. We connect them to markets for their businesses, by selling their craftwork (weaving and knitting) at our fair trade store in peru, and by connecting them to tourists and volunteers who buy from them and support their businesses directly. Our earned revenue from this program comes from our sale of the artisan's products and from international volunteers and tourists who visit the artisans through our programs. Our expenses for this program include training costs, supplies and equipment, and the costs of selling and marketing the artisans' businesses. Expenses also include connecting the artisans to sustainable tourism and voluntourism markets, like weaving lessons and homestays. We work with 180 women in 11 cooperatives who are earning a living and improving their lives thanks to our program. Of those 11cooperatives, we have graduated two from our program as independent businesses so far.