Artesania Sorata
Artesania Sorata
Bolivia
For more than 30 years, Artesania Sorata has helped to empower indigenous Bolivian women economically by providing them with artisan job opportunities. Over 100 women create hand-made, high-quality knit pieces, while practicing traditional and environmentally responsible methods of production. Artesania Sorata believes that improving self-esteem through creative economic opportunities can lead to an improved quality of life for artisans and their families. Education and healthcare services, including special services for the hearing-impaired, are provided to the artisans and their children through Artesania Sorata, in order to build a healthier, stronger community.
Artisan Voices
Eva Illanes: "We're like family" Illanes says. Illanes works from home and brings completed products in to the Artesania Sorata workshop. Her husband is a military engineer; she sees him about once a month. He doesn't give her enough money. Working with Artesania Sorata gives her a sense of community as well as additional income, vital in a climate where unemployment is high.