Empowering Women Through Design in Rural Peru

Dear friends, 

With your help, we have had a great year at Awamaki, and we couldn't have done it without you.

We now count 24 international retail partners carrying the women's products, up from nine last year. We have sold $110,000 of artisan products, up from $87,000 last year. We have put $120,000 directly in the hands of women, through our artisan products sales and our tourism program.

Ever wonder what all this means on the ground?

It means that 96% of the women in our programs report that their income has increased with our program.

46% spend the extra income on education, including school supplies, fees, or room and board for children at university.

38% use their extra earnings to save.

80% eat more meat and vegetables than they did before working with us. 

78% feel more confident to participate in decision-making processes within their cooperatives, communities or households. How do we know? Women say:

"I have a stronger position in the community through my connection to other women."

"I am not afraid to speak up anymore."

"I can work and earn my own money."

"I am more disciplined in my life."

"Now I interact more with people from outside my community."

"Our group meetings help us communicate at a higher level." 

This means empowerment that few women in these communities have ever experienced. It also means real changes in households. Women report their husbands helping spin wool, take care of kids, and even cook lunch, the main meal of the day, when they have an order to finish.

You are making these changes possible, and for that we want to say thank you. Next year, our goal is to teach the groups to manage their own order production, financial management and quality control. We don't want them to depend on anyone--not even us--to run their own businesses and earn a livelihood for themselves and their families.

We hope you will donate today to keep investing in the lives and empowerment of these women, and the futures of their children and their communities.  Thank you and have a great New Year!