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Our Jewelry making project - "Women helping Women" - “Mujeres Apoyando y Ayudando”
In 2020 classes had to close down, but since March 2021, the group is being led by Elena Moreles, who started with us back in 2016. We pay her a small fee to cover her bus expenses.
In 2017 we were able to buy the initial supplies, tools, sorting boxes, chairs and a table, thanks to a grant provided by the St. Andrew's Anglican Church, Outreach Grant Program.
We started the jewelry making program by having five women trained to make earrings, thanks to Mony and Mary-Ellen of el Corazon creativo for this training (and we're sad they closed their store). The original group of women earned money from sales and this was a welcome form of income. Later training was provided so that the women were making necklaces, rosaries as well as bracelets.
We have display racks at Bella Vida Boutique and Kinda Bazaar in Riberas. We are most grateful to these owners for allowing us to display the work of these ladies. So do go and buy some!
Poco a Poco volunteers organize the sales and stock control in various stores in Ajijic because the women can't sell their work locally - no one has money for food, let alone jewelry.
When we have events, the women help with sales, but the bus fare is expensive for them to get to Chapala or Ajijic.
Since 2019, we have been training new ladies in San Pedro Itzicán, together with one of the ladies from La Cuesta. We are most grateful to our trainer Barbara Passarello, who has been taught more sophisticated skills and donated many wonderful supplies. We are also grateful to organizer, Doris Wakeman and teachers, Lydia Cortez, Lois Cugini and Colleen Graham.
We also really appreciate all the items that have been donated to this project, from beads and supplies, to old jewelry that can be "re-invented". All this helps our ladies learn and become creative. Thank you.
