Peru Trip Cont’d…. on to the knitters

June 20, 2009 at 11:07 am fairtradeliz 1 comment

The second part of my trip was to the Lake Titicaca region of Peru, home of Lucuma Designs’ puppet knitting groups. There we work with well over 150 ladies to make finger puppets and other toys and ornaments.

As we arrived at the first groups’ workshop we were greeted with an isle of ladies laying strands of flowers around our necks, kissing our cheeks, and throwing flower petals into the air. It was thrilling to see so many lives rejoicing for the work we provide.

The Lucuma Team and Tomasa

As with the gourd carvers, my main tasks were to do the video work and take some photos. This time, however, I was able to conduct brief interviews with each lady. Most spoke Spanish, but a few older ladies spoke only their indigenous tongue, so their friends translated. It was fun! Some women were very shy, turning their heads and smiling away from the camera, and others were ready to talk! The biggest reoccurring themes I heard were: 1 – Thank you for helping us. 2 – I’m a single mom. My husband left. I depend on this income. 3 – I need more work.

Now honestly, I was a bit surprised to hear that they needed more work – after all it was taking 3 months to get any amount of a particular puppet design. But what I also learned is that in a place with no telephones, no computer, few cars, no electricity, etc.. it’s hard to dispense orders, and it’s hard to find a way to meet with the group leader to learn new puppet designs. Many of the younger knitters I spoke with knew only one or two designs and wanted to learn more, but distance (many travel hours to get to the workshop), work at home, and added expenses from traveling kept them from meeting regularly.

Miriam making corrections to a puppet design.

Despite the complicated process, all were willing to learn more designs- just take a peek at that new crab design Miriam is helping with. Who knew fair trade could be so cute?

Entry filed under: Fair Trade Helps People. Tags: Knitting, Peru.

Is a changing climate killing 300,000 people a year? Freedom is sweet.

1 Comment Add your own

1. Mary | June 24, 2009 at 12:51 am

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