Aid to Artisans has received funding from the Walmart Foundation to support its Wayuu Artisan Women’s Initiative to provide economic opportunities to more than 800 Wayuu women in northern Colombia. In recognizing Walmart’s philanthropy, Eric O’Leary, Chairman of Aid to Artisans Board of Directors, stated that “The Wayuu initiative builds on ATA’s eight years in Colombia, providing sustainable income generating opportunities and export development for the creative Wayuu women artisans who are not yet well known in international markets.” Walmart is committing more than $2.5 million in grants to projects aimed at improving the lives of women in Latin America. Through the Latin America Women’s Initiative, projects funded in six countries will help empower more than 9,000 women, building their capacity to rise out of poverty, support their families and improve their communities. Support from the Walmart Foundation will enable Aid to Artisans and its Colombian partner, CREATA, to develop income opportunities for Wayuu women artisans through business training, product design support, new market development and direct linkages to buyers throughout Colombia and North America
Accomplishments as of January 2013
- 16 Wayuu artisans groups have directly benefitted from this project, representing 405 Wayuu artisans among which about 90% are women.
- 300 new products have been designed with CREATA’s product development team and an international designer
- 1 baseline assessment and 1 Launch event were conducted at the beginning of the project in La Guajira, Northern Colombia.
- More than 40 training workshops were conducted in business reinforcement, internet market research, costing and pricing, use of raw materials, and techniques.
- Machinery and tools were provided to 16 workshops, making the product process easier and more efficient.
- More than 30 local and international buyers placed orders with the Wayuu community generating more than $200,000 in sales.
- The 16 Wayuu artisan groups participated at several regional and international trade fairs including, ColombiaModa, Expoartesenias, and the New York International Gift Fair.
- 1 retail store was created by the artisans in Riohacha, La Guajira in Northern Colombia for them to increase their income.
- Since the beginning of the project, the artisans’ income increased by 231%
Current Needs
This project seeks matching funding for scheduled work in Northern Colombia. These funds are needed to implement more training workshops, to expand their tourist, regional, and international market access, to identify new buyers, and encourage new buyers visits.
Project Lead in the US
Maud Mabika
Senior Manager – ATA Programs
Field Contact
Mauricio Rincon
Director of CREATA
Partners & Collaborators
ATA wishes to recognize CREATA for its efforts in working with low income artisan groups to increase their income and livelihoods. For more information about CREATA please check their website: www.creata.org.co
Contributors
ATA would like to thank the following organizations for providing funding for efforts in Colombia:
CREATA
Walmart Foundation
Cerrejón Ltd
Cerrejón Foundation
The Rohatyn Group
Global Goods Partner
