Marisol Monge

Artisan Organization: Marisol Monge

Country: Central America

"I'm a designer from El Salvador, and I have a versatile workshop. I grew up in a household of businesspeople and I loved working in sales because I'm very sociable and good at communicating. Then, I fell in love with art and chose a career in arts and crafts.

"I've met artisans who've taught me the creative processes. I took technical and training and attended artisanal workshops. I keep on learning and I don't think I'll ever stop. I teach others what I've learned and I work with very talented people. We create handbags and leather accessories, hand-painted wood décor and even ceramics in our workshop. We make a great variety, but I'm like that. I'm very active and enthusiastic. I like to do everything and learn as much as possible.

"I'm a single mother and, thanks to this job, I've been able to overcome a lot of obstacles with my daughter. It's not easy taking care of a child, but God has been able to calm my life and I feel economically stable.

"My dream is for the workshop to keep growing, to keep creating more items and have many customers. I hope to support more people and teach Salvadoran art to more young people. Along with exhibiting my art around the world, I wish to have my country's art known and inspire my daughter so that she can become a successful professional one day and never forget her roots.""