Dignidad Hecho a Mano (Handmade Dignity)

This is the motto of Fundacion Solidaridad in Chile, and also the title of the book produced  to commemorate thirty years of working with victims of political oppression, poverty and inequality by providing advice, training and marketing services. During the military dictatorship 1973 – 1990 thousands of political prisoners languished in jails and concentration camps suffering torture and deprivation while their families outside also suffered.  Members of the Vicariate of Solidarity did their best to provide legal and health care, but were also requested to help the prisoners to work, to pass the time, and to provide something for their families. And so began the production of carvings from bones out of the fish soup, rubbed and polished on prison walls, and necklaces made from breadcrumbs. Outside the prisons poverty and unemployment was growing and women organised themselves to work in church soup kitchens to feed thousands of children a meal each day.  They began to embroider on discarded flour sacks with scraps of cotton and wool, scenes from their lives in the soup kitchens, the countryside and even political events, creating the first arpilleras which are still made today, though with happier scenes. When democracy was restored, the Vicariate closed its doors, but those responsible for marketing the crafts formed the Fundacion Solidaridad to continue their work.  They now support about 590 people, and take greatest pride in the women’s associations which run their own businesses co-operatively sharing all the work and benefits. Trade Aid sold bone doves made in the prisons long ago, and continues to place annual orders today.  Some of the stories of the craft made in the bad times are very moving: The first bone carvings were miniature tools symbolising the prisoners’ desire for work.  They held competitions to make the most perfect saw, rake or hammer Bone sea horses were carved in the Tres Alamos camp because when the prisoners were in solitary confinement the only tinme their blindfolds were removed was in the bathroom, where there was a grill on the floor with a sea horse design Jewellery was made with bread crumbs and avocado stones, often as presents for loved ones Subjects of the early arpilleras in the book include the discovery of a mass grave of  “disappeared” detainees; exiles leaving Chile by plane and children eating in the soup kitchens