PJT Peru Liaison Blog
PJT Liaison
Based in Peru
We're excited to have Jessica Penner in Peru working with Bridge of Hope on PJT's
behalf. She works closely with
artisan groups - developing new products,
training groups in best practices, and sharing
information about the impact of PJT's work in
Peru. Prior to working with PJT, Jessica was a
long-term volunteer at Plowsharing Crafts, a
fair trade store in St. Louis. PJT gives
special thanks to the Joining Hands partnership
with Peru in the Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery
for supporting Jessica's work.
Following are blog posts from Jessica. To see and comment on Jessica's original posts, click here.
Sonia - January 31, 2011
A couple
of weeks ago I spent the day with Munay Rumi,
translating for a Finnish journalist doing a
newspaper article. I had the privilege of
hearing a more in depth story of Sonia Anahue,
a member of Munay Rumi, who some of you may
remember as the most recent Bridge of Hope
artisan to visit the U.S. on the tour this last
summer sponsored by PJT and Green
America.
When Sonia was 18, she moved by herself from Cuzco, Peru, where she grew up, to Lima, to attend dental hygiene school. She lived for a while with extended family, but soon moved out on her own. She took a job at a jewelry factory to pay for her schooling, but soon realized she couldn't afford the school and wasn't entirely sure it was something she wanted to pursue. She then began full time work at the factory. It was there she met Eva and Silvia, connected with them, and together left because of unfair practices, starting their own venture together with the help of Bridge of Hope.
From the time I met her when I first came to Peru to help Peggy Eng with translating, I respected her for her strong opinions and design abilities. When PJT wants a newer more creative filigree design, she is often the one to create a one of a kind piece.
Sonia recently bought a piece of land by herself in San Juan de Lurigancho, Lima, close to where the workshop is located, and plans on saving money from her work with Munay Rumi to start building a home and secure her own future.
I admire her for her determination in pursuing what she wants to do in life and in some ways I feel like I can connect with her just a tiny bit...me coming to a new city, leaving family and friends, not knowing really anyone, even though her risk was much greater and situation more permanent.
Currently, PJT director Cheryl Musch is visiting BOH here in Lima and all the artisan groups. Next week representatives from all the groups will be meeting in Lima for the annual artisan reunion to give a yearly report and bring some new samples!
Finishing Up the Year - December 16, 2011
Last week I went and visited Ichimay Wari in Lurin, south of Lima. Ichimay Wari is a larger, very organized cooperative that mostly makes ceramics, but also works with a weaver and a gourd carving group. It made me realize how different each of the groups that we represent is, each with their own abilities they bring to the organization. This cooperative represents lots of different small workshops, whereas typically, we work with smaller groups of 4-40 people that work together without a larger cooperative umbrella.
Lurin seems like a fairly quiet
town, at least calmer than Lima! We found the
main office, and then from there visited a
couple different ceramics workshops close by. I
had visited the groups before, but still came
away impressed by the talent of the artisans,
how they create unique traditional designs,
create molds for each product, starting with
clay, and ending with a finished piece. We´re
currently working with them on modifying some
of their existing products to come out with
some new products hopefully for next
Christmas.
I can´t believe I´ve been here already almost three months. Today is the last day the office is open, and Wednesday I leave back for home for a few weeks to visit family, friends, and of course touch base at the PJT office in St. Louis. The last couple weeks have been a rush of getting last minute orders out, with artisans coming frequently into the office to drop products and samples off, and getting stuff ready to bring back with me to the PJT office.
Thinking back on my time here thus far, I feel really great about how things have progressed. I now feel at home in the office, and I have developed more of a routine and relationship with the artisans. I´m hoping I can come back with a renewed vigor and inspired to continue working hard with the artisans, maybe in new and more creative ways, when I get back now that I have a base to work with, and time away to reflect. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Gourds! - November 30, 2011
I didn´t know what to expect when I went to visit PJT gourd group, Llamkay Tuki. I was familiar with the gourd products that PJT carries, but had never really thought about the process of what goes into making a carved gourd, a tradition more than 4,000 years old.
So I asked Daniel from Llamkay Tuki, to explain the process to me a bit. The group collects their own gourds in the area surrounding Huancallo. They then fire beautiful and original carvings into the gourd, a technique called pyrography, which burns the natural designs into the gourd. They use a foot press, like you see in the picture, which fuels the flame of the torch. Another, finer torch is used for more detailed work.
The results are incredible. Some more complicated designs, but many simpler, like the gourd owl and turtle earrings they make for PJT, which are my personal favorites. We´re currently working with Llamkay Tuki to get more jewelry designs, and I´m excited and hopefully those will come out in the next several months.
El Mercurio - November 23, 2011
Right at this time every day, at 3pm, the 30+ members, and some children of El Mercurio knitters, leave their homes, and all flood into their workshop in Huancavalica, Peru, 10 hours outside of Lima. They work o
n their current
projects, make new samples. The room is fairly
good sized, lined with a low wooden bench, and
turquoise walls. I had the privilege of being
able to visit last week during their regular
meeting time, and I had an incredible
time.
They went around in a circle, and each woman took turns telling me their story. Their stories were powerful, about struggle and hunger. Some physical hunger, needing work to feed themselves and their families, and others a hunger to be part of a group of supportive woman.
They talked about being able to stand up to their husbands, earn money, gain respect, and more self confidence. I heard the story of how they started with Partners for Just Trade, and how at first, their were hesitant, because of other artisan experiences about being cheated or mistreated by outside organizations.
And during my visit I felt the power of a group of woman being together and being able to support each other like they do. Every day at 3pm, getting together and working and talking. Beautiful.
Travelling!!! - November 15, 2011
I had the pleasure of being able to visit 4 different Partners for Just Trade artisan groups outside of Lima this past week: El Mercurio, Llamkay Tuki, Tupaq Yupanki, and Warmipa Maki. We first traveled to La Oroya to visit Warmipa Maki, a women´s knitting groups. We continued to Huancayo and then Huancavalica, making our way to higher and higher altitudes. The highest was over 13,000 feet, and I could feel it! I never quite got used to the change, but was offered traditional coca tea to combat the headache and lethargy. More details to come, as you can see I got to meet some great people and see breathtaking scenery. For now, I´ll just post some pictures! (pictures of gourd carvers from Llamkay Tuki and knitters from El Mercurio)
New Product - November 8, 2011
So, we at PJT have been having fun
lately trying to come up with new product
ideas. One of the latest is to continue the
line of recycled flour sack bags that we
currently carry, into even more products. Mana
has really jumped on board and gotten excited
about working on this new line, and I´m excited
that we can rework something old into a really
interesting and unique product. Bertha and
Emilia have been coming in and out of the
office a bit more lately, as they drop off
products for orders as well as samples. I
chatted a bit with Bertha today about her
recent trip to Tacna, 20 hours south of Lima,
on the Chilean border, to visit her family
there. Emilia was really ready to have her
back, I think actually called her to get her
back early to work on another
order.
Tomorrow I´m leaving bright and early to head to La Oroya, Huancayo, and Huancavalica to visit four different PJT groups; Warmipa Maki, Llamcay Tuki, El Mercurio, and Tupaq Yupanqui. I´ll be introducing myself to the groups, getting to know them, talking about new product ideas, and of course taking lots of pictures!
Making a Difference - October 31, 2011
Big news lately in the Red Uniendo Manos office, where the Bridge of Hope office is located here in Lima, is the positive outcome and press coverage of the current lawsuit the office has been working on regarding Peruvian Free Trade (not Fair Trade) policies. Complicated, yes, but big and positive news for future Free Trade Agreements, and a positive step forward for those negatively affected by such agreements.
As I pondered the amazing, positive actions that this office is a part of this past week, I was so pumped about our small little part of this big movement. These small steps...working towards amending free trade agreements, water rights issues, working with artisans, and promoting and supporting fair trade, are making impacts that will affect so many people, women and families.
As the world population, according to the UN, officially hits the 7 billion mark today, we are made aware that so many people in this world do live in poverty. Working to amend these destructive world systems, as Red Uniendo Manos is doing, and PJT, and me, and you, by supporting PJT and purchasing products from these artisans, we are reaching for a world that works in favor of the 7 billion people that now inhabit it...which includes me, you and the Partners for Just Trade artisans.
Office Visits - October 21, 2011
Since the office is the center of
the action, I get to visit with a lot of the
artisan groups as they come and go from the
office, stopping in to drop off products for
orders, for the store here in Lima, or just
bringing by new samples. Last week Eva, from
jewelry group Munay Rumi, stopped in with her
cutie little boy, Jeremy, and I got to
entertain him with a soft book PJT is working
on with Groupo Emady. Then Dionicia from Groupo
Emady came by with her son, Victor.
I am loving Lima more and more as the days go on. This weekend was FINALLY really sunny and absolutely beautiful weather, summer is coming here... !
Visiting Ima Sumacc - October 12, 2011
The last couple weeks going around and visiting artisan groups has been an adventure. We normally take taxis to get to the different artisans, or sometimes smashed into little mototaxis. However, yesterday I finally rode a bus all the way from the office in Magde
lena del
Mar to the district of Villa Maria del Triunfo
to visit the knitting group, Ima Summac.
Yovanna, one of the group's members, picked me
up at the office and we traveled the hour and a
half on bus through Lima. While I watched the
view of the city out my window, Yovanna worked
on her knitting.
I love these women. They are so
friendly, and so upbeat, and always smiling. I
spent the afternoon chatting with them as they
worked on scarves, talked about their kids,
difficulties they experience, their desire to
start a group emergency medical fund, and
potential ideas for future products. I came
away from that visit with mixed emotions. In
some ways, frustrated that I can´t do more
things, faster, and bigger and change issues
and problems that I see, right now; but also
recharged, and amazed that I get a chance to
get to assist these women and get to know them
in a way that I never would without being in
Lima and working for PJT. (Photo L-R, Idelsa,
Isabel, Yovanna, me!, and
Esperanza)
Take Three... - October 4, 2011
So, if I was ever worried about not having enough things to keep me occupied, those thoughts have been quickly remedied! Last week was a whirlwind of design training, hosted by SERRV (a fair trade organization based in the U.S.) a few miles away from the office, getting organized, and scheduling times to go visit each of the groups.
With the help of Cheryl and Peggy in St. Louis (I love technology), I finally feel like I have a good idea of how to prioritize my time in terms of what needs to be done as soon as possible and what can wait for the next few weeks. Although in my excitement for the artisans to create new products, it´s hard to not want to dump everything on them all at once.
This week I am going around to each group in the Lima area, along with staff member Maribel, and a Presbyterian YAV volunteer, Kaley (who will be going on a lot of artisan visits with me), re-introducing myself and giving them quick ideas and product modifications, so we can get you all a few more new things before Christmas!
Last night I went with my landlord Rosa and my Canadian housemate, Lydia, to go buy yarn, and then Rosa introduced us to the neighborhood rec center where we could do a variety of things including yoga or tango classes, learn how to make very large beaded animals (yes??!), or get massages (which we did!). As a whole, I´m feeling really good about life here in Lima, and I have been able to meet new friends in the office, and through contacts at the house I´m staying. I am frustrated with my lack of Spanish skill and the fact that I haven´t been using it as much as I would like to be, but I know that will come with time. For now, I´ll just have to be satisfied knowing that I am getting my point across, however awkwardly.
Arrival - September 26, 2011
At
left: Maribel from Bridge of Hope and
Jessica in the office in Lima
I arrived in Peru uneventfully this past Wednesday, and my first day in the office was Friday. So far, being here seems really comfortable, and I am greatly appreciating the time I spent previously with Partners for Just Trade in Peru. Having made connections with people--staff and artisans, more than once, and having a little bit of background in the challenges of working in fair trade, specifically in the context of PJT, I feel like the transition in most ways has been effortless. Instead of meeting new people, I am seeing old friends.
The boarding house I am staying at is a 15 minute walk from the office, and my room is TINY compared to the other two. But, it´s the only one with a window to the outside, and I love being able to feel the breeze. The biggest surprise so far?? Lima is COLD. I looked at the weather forecast before I came and it said 60´s low 50s. Okay, great, jeans, shirt, jacket. NO, try jeans, shirt, sweater, jacket, scarf, and whatever other clothes I can find to put on. I quickly realized it would have been actually beneficial to pay that extra $70 for another suitcase! The humidity here makes the cold just go right through you, there tends to be little sun, in addition to the fact that there is no insulation in the houses. I am anticipating summer...
A nice surprise my first day at the office on Friday was four big bags of new artisan sample products that the groups had just recently worked on with a Peruvian designer! I´m planning on looking more critically at some of those soon, maybe suggesting some to PJT, and hopefully modifying some of them for a future season. I feel like this is just the beginning of a constant back and forth with the artisans. Making samples, changing, tweaking, simplifying, tossing, keeping, etc. I attended a training hosted by SERRV a couple miles away from the office this morning and so much of what we discussed revolved around creating samples. Working in fair trade has given me an appreciation for the design and craftsmanship of every product that I buy on a day to day basis...products do not just appear out of thin air, and so much work has gone into a well designed product! I hope that I will be able to successfully assist with that aspect of the process.
Tomorrow afternoon Maribel (the Bridge of Hope fair trade staff member) and I will be outlining a schedule of visits to the artisan groups, hopefully starting next week, so I can introduce myself to the groups and start relaying some of the ideas and suggestions from the team in St. Louis. I´ll continue to keep you posted on how things are going!
Getting Ready - September 14, 2011
So, after months of decision making and uncertainty, I AM LEAVING FOR PERU! My flight is booked for this Wednesday, people have been notified, I have a place to stay, and even a ride from the airport.
Everything has gone so smoothly. I am working for Partners for Just Trade doing a variety of things, my title involving the word "liaison". I will be a communication link between the office in St. Louis to the office and artisan groups in Lima. In addition, I will support the artisan groups, helping them develop new ideas themselves and get comfortable brainstorming, relaying new product ideas from the states, as well as hopefully coming up with some of my own! Having been to Peru twice in the last two years visiting the groups with this organization will hopefully give me an immediate leg up and ideally I will jump right in to accomplishing the long list tasks as soon as I arrive.
My goal in this blog is to give an overview of what I am doing there, mostly with the artisan groups, telling their stories, posting lots of pictures, as well as my own personal day to day excitements and challenges as I navigate moving to another new place and try to build my own small community.
We're excited to have Jessica Penner in Peru working with Bridge of Hope on PJT's
Following are blog posts from Jessica. To see and comment on Jessica's original posts, click here.
Sonia - January 31, 2011
When Sonia was 18, she moved by herself from Cuzco, Peru, where she grew up, to Lima, to attend dental hygiene school. She lived for a while with extended family, but soon moved out on her own. She took a job at a jewelry factory to pay for her schooling, but soon realized she couldn't afford the school and wasn't entirely sure it was something she wanted to pursue. She then began full time work at the factory. It was there she met Eva and Silvia, connected with them, and together left because of unfair practices, starting their own venture together with the help of Bridge of Hope.
From the time I met her when I first came to Peru to help Peggy Eng with translating, I respected her for her strong opinions and design abilities. When PJT wants a newer more creative filigree design, she is often the one to create a one of a kind piece.
Sonia recently bought a piece of land by herself in San Juan de Lurigancho, Lima, close to where the workshop is located, and plans on saving money from her work with Munay Rumi to start building a home and secure her own future.
I admire her for her determination in pursuing what she wants to do in life and in some ways I feel like I can connect with her just a tiny bit...me coming to a new city, leaving family and friends, not knowing really anyone, even though her risk was much greater and situation more permanent.
Currently, PJT director Cheryl Musch is visiting BOH here in Lima and all the artisan groups. Next week representatives from all the groups will be meeting in Lima for the annual artisan reunion to give a yearly report and bring some new samples!
Finishing Up the Year - December 16, 2011
Last week I went and visited Ichimay Wari in Lurin, south of Lima. Ichimay Wari is a larger, very organized cooperative that mostly makes ceramics, but also works with a weaver and a gourd carving group. It made me realize how different each of the groups that we represent is, each with their own abilities they bring to the organization. This cooperative represents lots of different small workshops, whereas typically, we work with smaller groups of 4-40 people that work together without a larger cooperative umbrella.
I can´t believe I´ve been here already almost three months. Today is the last day the office is open, and Wednesday I leave back for home for a few weeks to visit family, friends, and of course touch base at the PJT office in St. Louis. The last couple weeks have been a rush of getting last minute orders out, with artisans coming frequently into the office to drop products and samples off, and getting stuff ready to bring back with me to the PJT office.
Thinking back on my time here thus far, I feel really great about how things have progressed. I now feel at home in the office, and I have developed more of a routine and relationship with the artisans. I´m hoping I can come back with a renewed vigor and inspired to continue working hard with the artisans, maybe in new and more creative ways, when I get back now that I have a base to work with, and time away to reflect. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Gourds! - November 30, 2011
I didn´t know what to expect when I went to visit PJT gourd group, Llamkay Tuki. I was familiar with the gourd products that PJT carries, but had never really thought about the process of what goes into making a carved gourd, a tradition more than 4,000 years old.
So I asked Daniel from Llamkay Tuki, to explain the process to me a bit. The group collects their own gourds in the area surrounding Huancallo. They then fire beautiful and original carvings into the gourd, a technique called pyrography, which burns the natural designs into the gourd. They use a foot press, like you see in the picture, which fuels the flame of the torch. Another, finer torch is used for more detailed work.
The results are incredible. Some more complicated designs, but many simpler, like the gourd owl and turtle earrings they make for PJT, which are my personal favorites. We´re currently working with Llamkay Tuki to get more jewelry designs, and I´m excited and hopefully those will come out in the next several months.
El Mercurio - November 23, 2011
Right at this time every day, at 3pm, the 30+ members, and some children of El Mercurio knitters, leave their homes, and all flood into their workshop in Huancavalica, Peru, 10 hours outside of Lima. They work o
They went around in a circle, and each woman took turns telling me their story. Their stories were powerful, about struggle and hunger. Some physical hunger, needing work to feed themselves and their families, and others a hunger to be part of a group of supportive woman.
They talked about being able to stand up to their husbands, earn money, gain respect, and more self confidence. I heard the story of how they started with Partners for Just Trade, and how at first, their were hesitant, because of other artisan experiences about being cheated or mistreated by outside organizations.
And during my visit I felt the power of a group of woman being together and being able to support each other like they do. Every day at 3pm, getting together and working and talking. Beautiful.
Travelling!!! - November 15, 2011
I had the pleasure of being able to visit 4 different Partners for Just Trade artisan groups outside of Lima this past week: El Mercurio, Llamkay Tuki, Tupaq Yupanki, and Warmipa Maki. We first traveled to La Oroya to visit Warmipa Maki, a women´s knitting groups. We continued to Huancayo and then Huancavalica, making our way to higher and higher altitudes. The highest was over 13,000 feet, and I could feel it! I never quite got used to the change, but was offered traditional coca tea to combat the headache and lethargy. More details to come, as you can see I got to meet some great people and see breathtaking scenery. For now, I´ll just post some pictures! (pictures of gourd carvers from Llamkay Tuki and knitters from El Mercurio)
New Product - November 8, 2011
Tomorrow I´m leaving bright and early to head to La Oroya, Huancayo, and Huancavalica to visit four different PJT groups; Warmipa Maki, Llamcay Tuki, El Mercurio, and Tupaq Yupanqui. I´ll be introducing myself to the groups, getting to know them, talking about new product ideas, and of course taking lots of pictures!
Making a Difference - October 31, 2011
Big news lately in the Red Uniendo Manos office, where the Bridge of Hope office is located here in Lima, is the positive outcome and press coverage of the current lawsuit the office has been working on regarding Peruvian Free Trade (not Fair Trade) policies. Complicated, yes, but big and positive news for future Free Trade Agreements, and a positive step forward for those negatively affected by such agreements.
As I pondered the amazing, positive actions that this office is a part of this past week, I was so pumped about our small little part of this big movement. These small steps...working towards amending free trade agreements, water rights issues, working with artisans, and promoting and supporting fair trade, are making impacts that will affect so many people, women and families.
As the world population, according to the UN, officially hits the 7 billion mark today, we are made aware that so many people in this world do live in poverty. Working to amend these destructive world systems, as Red Uniendo Manos is doing, and PJT, and me, and you, by supporting PJT and purchasing products from these artisans, we are reaching for a world that works in favor of the 7 billion people that now inhabit it...which includes me, you and the Partners for Just Trade artisans.
Office Visits - October 21, 2011
I am loving Lima more and more as the days go on. This weekend was FINALLY really sunny and absolutely beautiful weather, summer is coming here... !
Visiting Ima Sumacc - October 12, 2011
The last couple weeks going around and visiting artisan groups has been an adventure. We normally take taxis to get to the different artisans, or sometimes smashed into little mototaxis. However, yesterday I finally rode a bus all the way from the office in Magde
Take Three... - October 4, 2011
So, if I was ever worried about not having enough things to keep me occupied, those thoughts have been quickly remedied! Last week was a whirlwind of design training, hosted by SERRV (a fair trade organization based in the U.S.) a few miles away from the office, getting organized, and scheduling times to go visit each of the groups.
With the help of Cheryl and Peggy in St. Louis (I love technology), I finally feel like I have a good idea of how to prioritize my time in terms of what needs to be done as soon as possible and what can wait for the next few weeks. Although in my excitement for the artisans to create new products, it´s hard to not want to dump everything on them all at once.
This week I am going around to each group in the Lima area, along with staff member Maribel, and a Presbyterian YAV volunteer, Kaley (who will be going on a lot of artisan visits with me), re-introducing myself and giving them quick ideas and product modifications, so we can get you all a few more new things before Christmas!
Last night I went with my landlord Rosa and my Canadian housemate, Lydia, to go buy yarn, and then Rosa introduced us to the neighborhood rec center where we could do a variety of things including yoga or tango classes, learn how to make very large beaded animals (yes??!), or get massages (which we did!). As a whole, I´m feeling really good about life here in Lima, and I have been able to meet new friends in the office, and through contacts at the house I´m staying. I am frustrated with my lack of Spanish skill and the fact that I haven´t been using it as much as I would like to be, but I know that will come with time. For now, I´ll just have to be satisfied knowing that I am getting my point across, however awkwardly.
Arrival - September 26, 2011
I arrived in Peru uneventfully this past Wednesday, and my first day in the office was Friday. So far, being here seems really comfortable, and I am greatly appreciating the time I spent previously with Partners for Just Trade in Peru. Having made connections with people--staff and artisans, more than once, and having a little bit of background in the challenges of working in fair trade, specifically in the context of PJT, I feel like the transition in most ways has been effortless. Instead of meeting new people, I am seeing old friends.
The boarding house I am staying at is a 15 minute walk from the office, and my room is TINY compared to the other two. But, it´s the only one with a window to the outside, and I love being able to feel the breeze. The biggest surprise so far?? Lima is COLD. I looked at the weather forecast before I came and it said 60´s low 50s. Okay, great, jeans, shirt, jacket. NO, try jeans, shirt, sweater, jacket, scarf, and whatever other clothes I can find to put on. I quickly realized it would have been actually beneficial to pay that extra $70 for another suitcase! The humidity here makes the cold just go right through you, there tends to be little sun, in addition to the fact that there is no insulation in the houses. I am anticipating summer...
A nice surprise my first day at the office on Friday was four big bags of new artisan sample products that the groups had just recently worked on with a Peruvian designer! I´m planning on looking more critically at some of those soon, maybe suggesting some to PJT, and hopefully modifying some of them for a future season. I feel like this is just the beginning of a constant back and forth with the artisans. Making samples, changing, tweaking, simplifying, tossing, keeping, etc. I attended a training hosted by SERRV a couple miles away from the office this morning and so much of what we discussed revolved around creating samples. Working in fair trade has given me an appreciation for the design and craftsmanship of every product that I buy on a day to day basis...products do not just appear out of thin air, and so much work has gone into a well designed product! I hope that I will be able to successfully assist with that aspect of the process.
Tomorrow afternoon Maribel (the Bridge of Hope fair trade staff member) and I will be outlining a schedule of visits to the artisan groups, hopefully starting next week, so I can introduce myself to the groups and start relaying some of the ideas and suggestions from the team in St. Louis. I´ll continue to keep you posted on how things are going!
Getting Ready - September 14, 2011
So, after months of decision making and uncertainty, I AM LEAVING FOR PERU! My flight is booked for this Wednesday, people have been notified, I have a place to stay, and even a ride from the airport.
Everything has gone so smoothly. I am working for Partners for Just Trade doing a variety of things, my title involving the word "liaison". I will be a communication link between the office in St. Louis to the office and artisan groups in Lima. In addition, I will support the artisan groups, helping them develop new ideas themselves and get comfortable brainstorming, relaying new product ideas from the states, as well as hopefully coming up with some of my own! Having been to Peru twice in the last two years visiting the groups with this organization will hopefully give me an immediate leg up and ideally I will jump right in to accomplishing the long list tasks as soon as I arrive.
My goal in this blog is to give an overview of what I am doing there, mostly with the artisan groups, telling their stories, posting lots of pictures, as well as my own personal day to day excitements and challenges as I navigate moving to another new place and try to build my own small community.