Stories of Change

Manuel Mamani, Francisco Coanki Pacori and Julian Mamani are great mates. They are part of the collective of 14 committees who gather together to upskill through learning and discussing, and for friendship and solidarity. Men and women work together in spinning and knitting crafts on the Altiplano in Peru to fill fair trade orders for export to shops like Trade Aid in New Zealand. Income generating opportunities are few and once the artisans find themselves not so young anymore the traditional jobs such as day labouring in nearby cities are no longer viable options. The income earned and friendship created by fair trade work is a lifeline in a country where there are no pensions to rely on.

Before Minka was supporting groups like theirs, the artisans were individuals and isolated from each other. A leader from one of the committees told Trade Aid, “Minka built this community. We exist because of them.”