Andes Gifts products keep hundreds of knitters representing over 20 knitting co-operatives and 40 family based knitting groups busy throughout the year. All Andes Gifts clothing is made by skilled artisans with whom close contact is maintained. They are expert knitters who take pride in their work and genuinely enjoy what they do for a living. The areas where they live are very economically depressed. These women are grateful to have the opportunity to sell their products overseas, and enjoy being involved in the design and development of new products in the hope of having more orders every year.
At present, hundreds of wonderful Aymara and Quechua women are busy knitting the items which we are proud to sell. What make the Andes Gifts approach unique?
Real economic impact in rural indigenous communities
Andes Gifts abides by the principles of Fair Trade and pays a fair, living wage to the hundreds of rural knitters who hand-craft their products. Thanks to the continued sales of their products their knitters have projects year round. The money they earn is significant and crucial to them and directly impacts them and their families.
These communities are largely underdeveloped and impoverished. Bolivia is the second poorest county is the western hemisphere, and the rural areas of the Peruvian highlands are only slightly more developed, at best. With the money they earn, the women gain access to a better diet and improved educational opportunities for their children. One of the many indirect effects of this economic impact is that many of these women gain self-confidence and a sense of pride by being able to be providers for their families.
Technical training in rural indigenous communities
By going to rural indigenous communities and providing free knitting instruction Andes Gifts has been able to further rural development and provide employment opportunities where these are scarce, whilst not damaging the social fabric of these areas. This technical training enables knitters to stay in their communities and continue to learn new skills and in turn produce a wider array of products which helps them fulfill a larger diversity of product orders. With increased proficiency comes increased self-confidence and enthusiasm for their work. Computer literacy, basic bookkeeping skills, and product design and development are also taught, which greatly improve the knitting co-operatives organizational and creative capacities.
Andes Gifts micro loan program
Over the last 7 years Andes Gifts has given out over 150 no interest / no collateral loans to both individuals and groups of artisans. (Other credit is available in rural Bolivia and Peru, but at high interest rates and never without some type of collateral put down to secure the loan). In capital- deficient areas of the world, such as these, micro-loans have been shown to allow people to improve their standard of living and increase their earning capacity. Andes Gifts has experienced an exceptional 98% payback rate to date.
No sweatshops
The production model of Andes Gifts respects and reinforces local traditions and the family structure. Almost all of the knitters work either in their own homes, or together with other knitters in workshops. Women work within their communities, swap stories, share ideas, and have access to tools and materials. They work at their own pace, in clean, spacious, and safe environments.
The knitters believe that there are many other advantages to this model. A vast majority of them have children whom they are able to stay in proximity to and to care for. Unlike many factory workers, they are not forced to either relocate to a larger city or lose their source of income. They spend very little money on work related transport. They work only the amount that they desire or are able to and don’t have the constant pressure of factory style production deadlines. Also, this flexibility allows them to stay close to and participate in their local traditions and customs.
Feeling appreciated and being able to be providers for their families is of utmost importance to these exceptional women. The knitters of Andes Gifts would like to say “gracias por darnos trabajo y esperanza,” which means thank “you for giving us work and hope.” Purchasing Fair Trade products such as these is a great way to change lives around the world.
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