Gift Ideas For Spreading the Love on Valentine’s Day

During Valentine’s Day, we uplift our loved ones with acts of kindness and remind them how much we value their friendship. Wouldn’t it be great if you could express a thank you to a friend that also benefits an individual in need of support?

The products at Ruraq Maki are handmade by incarcerated women in Peru and the proceeds from our sales program helps them to earn a fair and just income. (Please take a moment to read about the program and our commitment to help the women in it.) Not only do these beautiful pieces of jewelry, bags, and home goods make great gifts, but the act of kindness that your loved one receives when you purchase a gift will be shared by women in poverty who are seeking a new opportunity for a sustainable life after prison.

Here are a few gift ideas from our catalog that we like to send to our friends and think your loved ones will enjoy too!

Featuring embroidery specific to the Central Andes of Peru, the Ayachucho Tote is made from traditional, handwoven manta. Make a statement with this elegant and versatile bag.

 

Carry it on your wrist or store it in your purse, this bright and lovely Embroidered Manta Cosmetic Bag is the perfect accessory to our manta bags.

 

A larger bag with vibrant colors and durable double straps, the Janna Hobo is made from handwoven, cotton manta. It will surely give you the flexibility you need on weekend visits or a trip to the gym.

 

This adjustable ring is perfect when you’re unsure of her size. Just the right amount of elegance and fun! More styles are available.

 

Handwoven manta earrings are a popular gift and they show off the unique style of weaving in the Andes region of Peru. Wear them by day or dress up at night with this splash of color.  

We hope that you’ll include the women in our program in your Valentine’s Day giving.

Purchase these gifts and more in our online store: https://squareup.com/store/ruraq-maki/

Happy Giving Tuesday!

Four years ago we conducted a series of interviews in the prison with the women. The goal of these interviews was to understand how the women became involved in drug trafficking, their challenges in the prison, and how they envision their lives once released.

During the interviews we asked the women, “If you could pick any job to do when you get out what would it be?”

This was the hardest question to answer, because, for many of the women, envisioning a future with choice was impossible. Instead they said:

“A job that paid me regularly and that helps me provide for my daughters.”

“Any type of legal work.”

“I will do whatever kind of work I need to to help support my mother and my daughters.”

Freedom. Agency. Possibility. Choice. Desire. These were not part of a future they imagined.

Over the past four years, something shifted. The women began to talk about their big dreams after being released from the prison. “Any type of work” turned into specific jobs fueled by ambition. “Whatever I can find” turned into opening businesses and studying at university. Dreaming became possible again.

We don’t pretend to be the only reason this shift occurred. The women are truly responsible for this change. They are the ones who attend classes, learn new skills, listen to feedback about their products, and work to be better. To be bigger. Ser grande.

But, we know that our work has been one thread in the beautiful future the women are weaving for themselves.

Our workshops with Kani taught the women the many facets of entrepreneurship. Leatherworking with Senor Alberto taught the women how to refine an artisan skill. Producing jewelry orders in a production group taught the women how to scale their enterprises.

And with each success comes possibility. Each workshop is another thread that becomes woven in what’s next, beyond the prison.

 

Today is Giving Tuesday, a global day of giving, and we hope that you’ll include us in your giving. As we near the end of the year, we need your support to continue providing free, high quality workshops in the prison.

 

Our goal is to raise $5,000 by December 31st, which would enable us to start 2019 with our winter and summer workshops funded. Will you help us?

 

[DONATE NOW]

 

With gratitude,

Amanda Smiles