Support native artisans & rainforest in the Amazon

Today we’d like to share the outcomes of two recent training workshops that strengthened the artistry, creativity, and confidence of our artisan partners in two different areas of the Peruvian Amazon: the Marañón and the Ampiyacu river basins. While our Basic level workshops can help artisans learn to make a woven bird for the first time, these Advanced level workshops are held for experienced artisans ready to make these crafts with high export quality.

In mid-June, 27 artisans gathered in the community of San Francisco on the Marañón River for four days to make the popular blue jay pileated woodpecker. Their sessions were marked by focused work, patient practice, and the joy of sharing knowledge. One of the most memorable moments came from Lety, who said with emotion: “This workshop has been an incredible opportunity to learn and grow. I feel like I’m still improving, but I’m motivated to keep innovating and working on my crafts because they help us a lot financially. I also want to encourage other artisans to keep learning and refining their skills. That’s why I love coming to these kinds of workshops.”

Loydi, another participant, shared a similar thought: “These workshops are important because they help us learn new crafts—like these little birds—or improve if we’ve already joined one before. I think I’ve improved quite a bit. My bird isn’t perfect, but it looks nicer than the last one I made. I liked how the facilitators taught us and spending time with my fellow artisans making crafts.”

 We packed our things at the end of the workshop with the promise to return and keep growing together.

 We next headed to the village of Brillo Nuevo for a training with 26 artisans from our host Bora native community and participants from four other villages in the Ampiyacu River basin. They also focused on making two woven birds in their session: the barn owl and marvelous spatuletail hummingbird which was recently featured in the episode about the Amazon in the nature documentary series The Americas.

 The workshop ran smoothly and was filled with curiosity and enthusiasm. One of the most touching comments came from Darlyng from Puca Urquillo Bora: “I’m happy to finish this workshop with two little birds completed. At first, I had doubts, but I gave it my all and I think I did well. The facilitators congratulated me. I know the birds aren’t perfect, and I still have to improve, but just finishing them feels like an achievement.”

 Libonia from Nuevo Perú shared a reflection about the essence of these gatherings: “This workshop was an amazing chance to improve. I know I’m still learning, but I’m motivated to keep creating and work with this art because it really helps us economically. I hope more and more people in my community get inspired to weave these kinds of birds. That’s why I like coming to workshops like this—not just to learn for myself, but to teach others too.”

 Goodbyes are never easy, but there’s comfort in knowing we’ll see each other again. We returned home with the certainty that our artisan partners are continuing to refine their skills—and that we are part of that process. Because every stitch, every finished bird, is a seed for the future.

Thank you for continuing to walk with us. Your support through GlobalGiving makes it possible for this knowledge to grow and bloom in every community we reach. We will keep bringing workshops like these to more people. It’s our mission—it’s what we do—and we’re truly grateful for every donation that helps us continue.

Links:

• Amazon Ecology website and online store
• Amazon Ecology on Facebook
• Amazon Ecology on YouTube