Summer 2019 Newsletter Table of Contents From Chiapas to Vegas, Yucatán to New York, ATA Table of Contents ’s programs continue to change lives

Page 3 XXX MEXICO-COUNTRY- From Title Chiapas to Vegas, Yucatán to New York, ATA Mexico’s programs continue to It was a big year for hundreds of rural, indigenous crafted by 132 female artisans--and one man-- change lives Mexican artisans working with ATA. Last August in Chiapas and 49 women from the Yucatán to PageA XXX financial success-story ATA’s new project, Manos Vivas (MV), began the Las Vegas Market and NY NOW. COUNTRY-W. K. Kellogg Title Foundation funds the “Sitalá Alliance” working with 1000 artisans to help them build Saving Women: Manos Vivas joins TrickleUp to teach women about viable businesses. The artisans, many of whom The products MV brought to the shows were Page XXX finance speak Mayan rather than Spanish, live in small items that Mexican designer Paola Martínez COUNTRY-Helping Title food artisans in the Yucatán villages in the Yucatán and Chiapas. and American designer Mimi Robinson developed with the rural artisans. Robinson Page XXX In July in Las Vegas and this August in New York, visited Chiapas and the Yucatán in March and PageWHAT'S 10 NEXT crafts from these small villages grabbed the April to help curate, design and merchandise The 2019 Market Readiness Program- attention of international buyers who visited the MV Collection for the trade shows. The A Dream Comes to Life these trade shows, the largest ones held in the home décor and fashion design products United States. ATA’s strategy of collaboration were woven, macramed, cross-stitched, between designers and artisans has made hand and machine embroidered. They Page 16 Manos Vivas a champion for artisan success, included pillow covers, placemats, hammocks, From Maker to Market bringing over 200 products designed and handwoven ‘huipiles,’ (traditional squared ATA completes its fourth show at the Las Vegas Market

Page 20 WHAT'S NEXT Winter 2020 TEAM at Las Vegas Market ATA One-on-One

Cover Image: Polonia Enzin with her backstrap loom in Pantelho, Mexico Table of Conents: Village scene, Yucatán Back Cover: María Fancisca Caamal Jiménez sews traditional embroidery in the Yucatán, Mexico. Artisans in Cahlchihui- tan who are part of the Photographs by Daniel Hernandez Delgadillo Manos Vivas program in 2 Mexico 3 The village of Chenalho in Chiapas, Mexico

Ait to Artisans Mexico booth at TEAM Las Vegas Market

blouses) dresses, clutches and a new concept Oregon,” says Guillermo Jester, MV’s sales “They didn't expect to receive much of success and motivation in upcoming called a “netbag.” Using hammock weaving and marketing rep for MV. An additional 100 attention or money but since they were so trade shows. “There will be more artisans techniques, the netbags were a product of buyers expressed interest in collaborating with successful, they are motivated to continue participating as we continue to give training,” Robinson’s visit which broadens the offerings artisans to develop designs using traditional to produce crafts using their traditional skills he says. “Only groups that were ready to of the hammock weavers. They learned that techniques in new colors, sizes and materials and materials.” sell that met international quality standards while a hammock could take months to make, for each buyer's stores. could participate this time, but more artisans and yielded scanty profits, small bags could It’s just the beginning for these artisans, will join the next shows.” be produced in a week or two and were much “The artisans are motivated,” says Jester. says Jester. He plans to increase the circle more profitable. Since last October, MV has provided training to groups of artisans not only on product Backstrap loom woven new samples A financial success-story developed for the 2019 collection design but also human development. Overall, 997 women and eight men participated in the training events, learning business skills Six groups of artisans — one from the and gaining self-confidence. The two-year Yucatán and five from Chiapas — sold $7500 goal is to reach 1500 artisans. of goods to buyers representing stores from California to Michigan. “The best sellers were the pompoms and macrame bracelets from Chiapas, bought by small to medium-size stores from in California, Michigan, Iowa and Best selling hand woven bracelets at 4 the Las Vegas Market 5 W. K. Kellogg Foundation CONEVAL (Consejo Nacional de Evaluación Mexico, María Eugenia Pineda Meléndez. LEÓN XIII FOUNDATION - Promotes savings, funds the “Sitalá Alliance” de la Política de Desarrollo Social), this She supervises the Alliance and coordinates community health care, and community municipality is among the ten with the their efforts to achieve the common mission development in human growth and A self-sustaining future is the goal of this highest percentage of people living in and goals. Members of The Alliance include interaction. new program funded by the W. K. Kellogg poverty (96.5%) and in extreme poverty the following groups: Foundation (WKKF). (74.6%). Nearly all the Sitalá residents are CREATIVE LEARNING – ATA- Supports income indigenous and speak Tzeltal, not Spanish. ALIANZA PEDIATRICA GLOBAL - works generation, social enterprise, women’s “The Alliance, also known as ‘CRECER Sitalá has a young and growing population to prevent maternal and infant death, leadership, peace building, human rights, JUNTOS – SITALÁ,’ (which translated means that is subject to many social conflicts, strengthens local health capacities, and and education. “Grow Together”), is a new idea,” says the especially those related to political trains youth leaders for the prevention of ATA’s Monika Steinberger. “It is based on participation and local power struggles. early pregnancy and gender violence. Steinberger is confident that ATA will be able collaboration among local organizations to achieve the goals set for the Alliance, laying implementing a wide range of activities that Aid to Artisans Mexico has is deeply CONIDER - Carries out community planning, the foundation for sustainable community strengthen communities: health, nutrition, imbedded in the region. "We are part of training local leaders; focusing on children development “Our country director, María maternal and neonatal care, local leadership, the local culture,” says Steinberger. “Over and adolescents. Eugenia Pineda Meléndez, is respected by agricultural improvements, access to safe the past 6 years, we have established close Alliance members and local beneficiaries water, community savings groups, and working relationships with community DICADEM - Promotes nutrition and health, alike. Members accept her leadership and income generation.” leaders and have earned the people’s supports income generation, improves food are eager to advance joint goals under her trust. Our work takes us deep into the systems and access to water. supervision and guidance,” says Steinberger. Six organizations and 30 communities are communities, through person-to-person “The alliance of local organizations is very part of this new project in Sitalá, a small coaching and follow-up by ‘promotoras’ CANTARO AZUL FOUNDATION - Ensures important to maximizing joint local impact, community in central Chiapas. According drawn from the Mayan people.” The access to safe water and creates cooperation as we all are focused on different things,” program is led by ATA’s country director in between community water networks. says Meléndez.

Artisans working in traditional Sitalá, Chiapas, Mexico embroidery in Sitalá

6 7 Habitat for Humanity and the Government of the State of Chiapas through the Secretariat Syrups developed to make horchata, a of Gender Equality to be interested in rice based Mexican drink. The program helped redesign the labels collaborating the TU/ATA mission of creating savings initiatives for women,” says Meléndez.

Helping food artisans in the Yucatán

Improving food products made by indigenous women from the Yucatan Peninsula is a new focus for ATA. ATA recently established a team working with the community of Chacsinkin, Trickle Up financial literacy training held in in the central part of the state. “Our goal is to Chiapas improve living conditions for food producers and processors by generating added value to products and selling them in the national and Saving Women: Manos old through access to financial inclusion and international market.” In this first stage, ATA Vivas joins TrickleUp to teach social protection mechanisms.” Promotoras are focusing on the production of beverages (from tamarind, local Jamaica women about finance As part of this project, MV and TU work with 825 and other fruits) for the Mexican markets indigenous women artisans and entrepreneurs including coffee from artisans from Sitalá. “While only 5% of people in the Americas in 11 municipalities in Chiapas, teaching them live in extreme poverty, indigenous people, how to save their earnings from their sales. “Using traditional recipes, we improve the Afro-descendants, women, and people with This will give them the ability to grow resources food production chain, add value and rescue disabilities continue to be disproportionately which they can use to invest in other productive traditional knowledge,” says Meléndez. “We represented among those below the initiatives. The “savings program” trains women are working with Mexican companies to extreme poverty line (defined as living on to manage their own businesses. It strengthens establish relationships with the indigenous under $1.90/day) and are often not well- their self-esteem and encourages female producers of Yucatán.” Goals for the program served by government social protection leadership. The project also serves women who include expanding into the international programs or other organizations.” So reads with disabilities or who have family members market, diversifying raw materials sources the website of non-profit TrickleUp (TU) an with disabilities, giving workshops on how to and encouraging a market for of raw materials NGO that specializes in financial programs integrate disabled people into the community. in southeast Mexico, especially in Yucatán to improve rural communities. “It is a program that has a comprehensive and Chiapas. approach that contributes to improving the living In July TU and MV launched “Empowerment conditions of women, people with disabilities of Women and Youth through Financial and families, with its own methodology for the Graduation and Inclusion.” “We both want empowerment of women,” says Elena Gómez, excluded segments of the population to be ATA /TU Project Coordinator for the program. part of the regular economy in Mexico,” A food safety and good manu- says MV’s Meléndez. “Our objective is to facturing practices training with “One of the great satisfactions of this project Written by Cari Shane women producers of "Hochata" empower women and youth 18 to 34 years is that it has motivated organizations such as Photography by Daniel Hernandez handcrafted syrup 8 9 The Market Readiness Program- A Dream Comes to Life

Catherine Macha of the Tanzanian NGO, Kahe constructive.” ATA is looking for sponsors to Home, has dreamed of attending the Market help other Catherines achieve their dream Readiness Program (MRP) for over three through an MRP scholarship fund. If you or years. Macha couldn’t afford the program fee someone you know would be interested in and searched for sponsors at home, without sponsoring an artisan business owner with success. Undeterred when she couldn’t find a scholarship for this life-changing training, them, she started saving up. please contact [email protected].

After 3 years of saving, Macha made it to Made possible by a dedicated team of ATA New York in August 2019, for the intensive staff, mentors and volunteers, the MRP drew 4.5 days MRP training. Her goals were to 13 artisan business owners, NGO directors, learn the requirements for the US market, and exporters from 8 countries this year. The ATA Mentor Nicole Gulotta including costing and pricing, color trends participants bonded with the MRP team, diving speaks with ATA participant and quality control. “It was just great. I was enthusiastically into the work of adapting their Yildiz Yagzi during her One- on-One session able to sell the 5 sample baskets I brought, businesses or products for growth and success I am happy. The training and interaction in the US market. with the buyers and our mentors were all

Catherine Macha discusses her work during a One-on- One session at the MRP with ATA Mentor Stacy Spivak

MRP participants visit West Elm during the New York retail tour 10 11 Catherine Macha, Deola Kamson, Kahe Home Delabique Garmets Each participant created and presented a Limited Deola Kamson owns and manages Delabique 6-month action plan, detailing their strategy, Garments Limited, a women’s clothing and based on their goals and the feedback accessories label, that tailors their products they received during business roundtable to the bodies and desires of their customers. sessions and one-on-one mentoring. Originally from Lagos, Kamson received a degree in BSC Zoology from the University ATA’s annual reception showcased products of Ibadan. by the MRP participants and offered a chance for artisan exhibitors, MRP alumni, and ATA’s trade network to connect. Creative Learning CEO Carola Mandelbaum thanked all of Maria Yolanda Her- the MRP mentors and volunteers for their nandez Gomez, Maria Yolanda Hernandez Gomez received generous contributions and presented a Meet the 2019 MRP Alumni: ATA Mexico a degree in the English Language from the special gift to ATA consultant Carol MacNulty Autonomous University of Chiapas in 2012 for her contributions to the MRP and the Catherine Macha, works with farmers on and started as Artisanal Field Promoter for TEAM initiative at Las Vegas Market over handcrafts in the off season. She is the Vice ATA’s Mexico program “Manos Vivas”. She is many years. Chairman of Kahe Home, an organization that provides a home for intellectually disabled the co-founder of an artisanal cooperative children and trains farmers to be financially in Zinacantan called “Mujeres Sembrando independent by producing food, baskets and La Vida.” Written by Lauren Barkume mats to be sold locally. Macha graduated Photography by Lauren Barkume from Sokoine University of Agriculture in 2011 with a degree in Rural Development. Maureen Obaweya, Morin.O Maureen Obaweya is the CEO of Morin.O which designs and manufactures leather The Market Readiness Program class of goods in Nigeria. The products are inspired 2019 at the NY NOW trade show by ethnic designs for the sassy, fashionable and innovative individual. Obaweya received a degree in pharmacology from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria in Nigeria and then went into the arts setting up her first gallery.

Nautenle Fonseca Nautenle Fonseca Pereira Goldstein Batista Pereira Goldstein graduated in Applied Foreign Languages at Batista, the University of Sorbonne-Paris in 2006, Mama Lua then founding Mama Lua, a clothing and accessories brand for ladies and kids based in Rwanda. She works with local women’s crafts cooperatives to produce fashionable items mixing African and Western styles.

12 Photograph by Rachel Landale 13 Ora Ataguba, Weave & Co Based in Lagos, Ora Ataguba is the CEO Reyna Jimenez Lopez is a “Promotora” Gallery of Weave & Co Gallery, a shop featuring for the ATA Mexico program “Manos authentic and innovative Nigerian arts & Vivas”. Reyna is responsible for training crafts, including leisure furniture, baskets, and supervision of artisans in Chiapas as metal sculpture, decorative items, fashion they fulfill orders received at national and accessories, clothing, and paintings. She international tradeshows. She also holds Reyna Jimenez also organizes skill acquisition programs for workshops dedicated to advancing skills and Lopez, women, widows, and poor people. human development for artisans. ATA Mexico

Tania Beatriz Alicia Helfrich, Tania Beatriz Gomez Vazquez is an Artisanal Alicia Helfrich is a Senior Program Specialist Gomez Vazquez, Creative Associates Field Promoter for "Manos Vivas" in the with the Economic Growth Division at ATA Mexico ATA Mexico office in San Cristobal, leading Creative Associates in Washington D.C. workshops with indigenous artisans from Recently, she laid the foundation for an M&E the highlands of Chiapas. Vazquez received system in . She wants to focus on a degree in social work from the University assisting artisans earning livelihoods from of San Cristobal in 2016. craft production, and sustainable progress for families and communities.

Violet Abdulkadir, Fabio Arciniegas Afrikoncept Violet Abdulkadir is founder and CEO of Lopez, Fabio Arciniegas Lopez is the Marketing Collection Afrikoncept Collection with the mission of Sombreros & Representative of Sombreros & Artesanias preserving her heritage through unique Artesanias del Mundo del Mundo (Hats & Crafts) based in Pasto, handmade fashions. Abdulkadir has a (Hats & Crafts) Colombia. The business works with 19 Masters’ degree in Business Administration artisan women in making fine hats, bags, from Lagos Business School.Photograph Afrikonceptby Rachel Landale and tabletop items from natural Toquilla enhances the incomes of women and youth fiber. Their products are sold in Panama and that produce tie dye prints for the label. they are looking to expand into US markets.

Yildiz Yagci, Nigina Ikromova, Yildiz Yagci is the founder and president of Anatolian Artisans Nigina Ikromova is the Executive Director Union of Craftsmen of Anatolian Artisans, a nonprofit organization of the Union of Craftsmen of Tajikistan, Tajikistan working to provide sustainable income for an organization of associations engaged low income Turkish artisans since 1999. in decorative craft, traditional folk art and Originally from Istanbul, Yagci is committed other handcrafts. The Union has over 200 to raising awareness about arts and culture members across Tajikistan, offering training of Turkey by organizing exhibitions, festivals, programs in product development and fairs, conferences and seminars. marketing. 14 15 Katja Forrer Dancing Yak our expert consultants and exhibitors worked Handicrafts together to make the show a success. Special thanks to our amazing industry experts Carol MacNulty (BDH Global), Mimi Robinson (Mimi Robinson Design), and Laurie Kanes (12 Small Things).

You can read more about our TEAM program on our website and apply for a spot in the Janaury 2020 show. Applications open in early October 2019. Sammy Abdella, Sammy Export The TEAM Exhibitors:

TEAM Exibitors at the July 2019 Aid to Artisans Mexico (Mexico)-As part of Aid Las Vegas Market to Artisans’ worldwide activities, ATA Mexico empowers artisans in Chiapas, Sitalá and the Yucatan Peninsula by providing technical assistance to improve the quality of their From Maker to Market products and diversify fair access to markets. The Home Décor and Fashion Accessory ATA completes its fourth show at the Las Vegas Market products combine the rich traditional techniques of Mexico with contemporary designs.

Azure Jewelry (Mexico)-Using 100% recycled Manati Mpesi, This July 2019, Aid to Artisans held its fourth silver, the brother and sister duo of Azure "Training Entrepreneurs in Artisan Markets" Handmade in Jewelry takes inspiration from their personal Lesotho (TEAM) session in partnership with the Las and national values, nature and travels to Vegas Market! Serving companies looking to provide contemporary and modern statement enter the US retail market, TEAM combines Carlos Augusto Rendon pieces from Mexico. one-on-one counselling and training and a Azure Jewelry booth at the fastest growing trade show in the CIEP Lesotho- Handmade in Lesotho US. We also provide industry experts to coach (Lesotho)- As of part of an Aid to Artisans TEAM participants during the show. project, CIEP Lesotho works with artisans Mariela Lopez, to bring handmade products of Lesotho to Royal Knit During the Las Vegas Market TEAM featured ten the U.S. Retail Market. Export agent Mantai businesses selling handmade products from Mpesi of Handmade in Lesotho represents , Peru, Mexico, Fiji, Papa New Guinea, products featuring fashion accessories made Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tibet (China), in wool and mohair, jewelry items made from Nepal, India, Lesotho and Ghana. Our largest shoeshoe fabric, horn and bone, and recycled show yet, the TEAM booth drew hundreds of metal, and a wide range of baskets made of buyers. The show was full of high energy as natural fibers. New hand woven snack baskets which will be placed in each of the 187 rooms at the Sheraton 16 Djibouti 17 Maria del Pilar, Hampaj fashion accessories from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu to US markets.

Royal Knit (Peru)- An expert in producing sustainable Alpaca yarn and Pima organic cotton, Royal Knit brings products of the highest quality with unique sophisticated designs to the US market. Products feature Guillermo Jester, home décor, women’s and children’s clothing ATA Mexico and fashion accessories.

Sammy Hand Made in Ethiopia (Ethiopia). The Sammy brand links the artisans of one Dancing Yak Handicrafts (Tibet)- Dancing Yak 50 artisan knitters in Peru. It is dedicated of ’s most ancient civilizations with Handicrafts is a successful training center for to bringing handmade infant apparel and American and European fashion know-how. Tibetan women who produce impeccable toys made of high-quality natural materials Dominic Abakuri, The result is unique contemporary handmade products featuring natural yak wool and to the international market. Cutting out the Savana Baskets treasures that have already gathered fans the beautiful Tibetan brocade textiles. DYH middleman, Hampaj ensures that purchases from New York to Tokyo. combines the culture of Tibetan handicraft directly support the artisans of Peru. with original and modern styles, bringing Savanna Baskets (Ghana). Savanna Baskets is a high-quality tote bags and other colorful Considered by Real (Fiji, Papua New social enterprise that works with rural women fashion accessories. Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu). This co-operatives in Northern Ghana. Woven organization recognizes the human and Madison Pease, from kinkanke grass, these time-honored Hampaj (Peru). Hampaj is a brand of economic potential of artisans in the Pacific CONSIDERED Bolga baskets are both richly traditional and PeruLand All Natural, who works with over region, bringing handmade home décor and by Real perfectly modern.

The Red Sari (Nepal & India). The Red Sari is a socially responsible fashion design company with a mission to create sustainable jobs for women in Nepal. The Red Sari brings unique handmade products with contemporary designs, produced using the ancient Laurie Kanes, handicraft techniques of Nepal to global representing markets. The Red Sari

The RedExhibitors Sari at the TEAM Written by Rachel Landale booth at Las Vegas Photography by Lauren Barkume Market 18 19 Giv Box buyer discusses custom products with TEAM Exhibitor Mantai Mpesi at the Las Vegas Market

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What's Next!

Winter 2020 TEAM @ Las ATA One-on-One Vegas Market

We will be exhibiting again this Janaury at Aid to Artisans’ new training initiative, ATA TEAM, Training Entrepreneurs in Artisan One-on-One provides personalized coaching Markets at Las Vegas Market. Applications to entrepreneurs, designers, and artisan open in October 2019 for the January businesses who seek more support for their 2020 program. TEAM is a full-support trade preparation in successful entry into the US show experience for exhibitors--training that handmade market. Coaching is available by gives artisan businesses real opportunity to distance all year long. learn about selling and exhibiting and then participating in a US trade show. As part of It provides artisan business owners an the TEAM experience, ATA provides pre-show opportunity to speak with industry experts webinars and feedback on everything from on a wide range of specific questions related pricing to merchandising. Only 10 spaces will to your business and market access. Coaching be available, so apply early. sessions are one hour long and can be held via video call, WhatsApp, phone or in person. What are our alumni saying? " The climate of working with a team of experts Take advantage of ATA’s team of experts with who have been this industry is invaluable... decades of experience in the artisan and Such networking and expertise they offer is handmade sectors and get the one on one worth every penny." - Mohapi Lphallo advice you want.

Want to know more or be the first to know To sign up and schedule your free One-on- when applications open? Contact us at One call, complete the ATA One-on-One [email protected]. application. 20 21