The valley in has been inhabited for over a thousand years by many ethnic and indigenous communities. Today it is a bustling city and small farmers and artisans must work hard to preserve the traditions and cultures of their ancient land. Based in , Communidad Winay is a cooperative run ceramic workshop which was founded in 1988 with a mission to provide a source of income generation to women from low-income urban areas.

Comunidad Winay employs nearly 30 women full-time and up to 100 women seasonally, enabling them to generate the income necessary to support their families. Twelve of Communidad Winay's artisans have been with the project since its inception 22 years ago. The organization provides day-care for the sons and daughters of its working mothers, currently about 48 children. Here at Communidad Winay independence, creative thinking, and being and growing together is all nurtured under one roof. Most of the artisan's children come to the workshop, not to work, but to help their mothers and to help foster a spirit of community and collaboration. The adults in the workshop collectively help the children with their studies. The workplace represents an excellent example of collective strength, confidence, and empowerment.