Cooperative of Monteverde Artisans

Artisan Organization: Cooperative of Monteverde Artisans

Country: Central America

"The story of the Monteverde Cooperative is inspiring and showcases the power of unity and entrepreneurship in a rural community. It all began in 1982 when a group of women from Monteverde realized they had limited options for generating income. So, they decided to form a women's group to work from their homes and sell their crafts.

"Initially, their work involved handwoven and hand-embroidered pieces, featuring flowers and birds to represent the local nature. As time went on, the group expanded. In 1987, they relocated the craft store to their local area in Monteverde and built an exhibition hall, workshop, and kitchen. Later on, they added a sewing workshop and purchased sewing equipment, enabling them to learn, practice, and produce items for the store.

"With the growth of tourism activity in Monteverde, they added a gallery, meeting room, an improved kitchen, and more pleasant gardens. They were aided in this endeavor by the American organization "Global Volunteers." In the year 2000, the cooperative decided to operate independently. Since then, they have focused on offering quality products and services that represent the socio-cultural diversity and biodiversity of the Monteverde Cloud Forest, crafted by hand and through artisanal methods.

"The cooperative's mission also includes the personal growth of its members through training workshops in productive areas, as well as providing ongoing support for their various social and familial situations. Additionally, they emphasize environmental responsibility by producing artisanal goods with minimal or no impact, utilizing recycled materials, and avoiding the generation of harmful waste. They also focus on social outreach within the community, aiming for an improved quality of life for the families of the members and fostering connections with local producers.

"However, reaching and gaining the trust of the people they aim to support has not been easy. In the early days of the cooperative, they had to visit members by traveling long distances on poorly maintained roads, using horses or walking. Moreover, these women were often subject to the will of their husbands, who opposed their gatherings. The majority of these women had not completed school, and some were unable to read, making the concept of association and self-management of an organization seem distant or impossible.

"Despite these challenges, they have managed to enhance the lives of individuals within the community. The main achievement has been empowering women, giving them greater economic independence for themselves and their children's education. Belonging to the group helped them overcome insecurities and find emotional support, especially for those experiencing family violence and poverty. The cooperative generates employment through its craft store and a small restaurant serving traditional food. They also support local producers by acquiring their products for their menu.

"The members of the cooperative have experienced significant changes in their lives or lifestyles through their work within the organization. Their self-esteem has improved, and they've gained more resources for themselves and their families. They had to organize their time to balance production with attending to their husbands, children, and parents. Through training meetings, they improved their artistic skills and learned how to make decisions.

"This is an inspiring group that has successfully empowered women in a rural community, providing them with economic and personal opportunities while promoting environmental responsibility and community outreach. Despite initial challenges, they have significantly improved the lives of people in their community while keeping local artisanal traditions alive.""