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.
The cooperative is headed by a democratically elected president, but the important policy and financial decisions are taken collectively by all the members. Comunidad Winay encourages artisan participation and onus for decisions taken in the interest of the organization; this helps to build an empowered community. The women artisans of Communidad Winay earn fair wages for their services and all profits are distributed amongst its members. Artisans benefit from a safe and friendly working environment and the organization helps to provide for the welfare of their children.
Communidad Winay also provides training for their artisans in craft design, quality control, and production techniques to help them create better products for the market. The many ceramic products that are designed and created by the artisans in the workshop include delightful farm animals, ornaments, miniatures, candle lamps, nativities, and other decorative pieces.
Communidad Winay has helped women artisans in obtain a sense of self-empowerment and economic independence. The sale of these products enables the women to contribute to their community while achieving a better standard of living for themselves and their families.
