Posted by: Jenny Barnes 1 year ago (0 comments)
With Mother’s Day just around the corner we thought it was the perfect time to share some of the talented mother and daughter artisans that work on our products. With a focus on South America, we hear directly from the artisans themselves on Motherhood, their own mothers and the role of women in general. Read below for their inspiring thoughts.
Elvia
First up we have Elvia. She helps produce these stunning lola hats. Elvia speaks lovingly about her mother below.
How is your life different from your mother's?
Well, my life is different from my mother's because I was able to attend school and study, and she didn't have that opportunity. Because of that, there's more room for growth in my career.
What is the most valuable lesson your mother has taught you?
She taught me that it's important to pass along good values to your children. She passed along good values to me, and if I stick with her advice and pass it along to my children--it will be good for them too!
Who do you admire most in life?
I admire my mother, because although she had 10 children, she did everything she could to help us. Her children always came first, and she made sure we were able to attend school and better our lives. She gave the best to us.
Sandra
Sandra is an assistant artisan who helps create the necklaces that we stock. Sandra is an Andean Project scholarship recipient and plans to pursue a career in natural science when she graduates from high school. Sandra shares some of her inspiring thoughts below.
What would you like to do after you finish high school?
I'd like to learn more about agriculture and how it can help us improve the environment.
How is your life different from your mother's?
My mother didn't study, and I have the opportunity to study. In general, women have more opportunities now. Also, women can defend themselves against men. If they're facing an abusive situation at home, they can get help. That wasn't always possible before.
What is the most valuable lesson your mother has taught you?
To be respected, to be respectful and to share. She also taught me to defend myself against people who aren't looking out for my best interest.
If you have children, what would you like to teach them?
I want my daughters to study and to be successful in life. I want them to stay on the right path and create a future for themselves. I also want them to put their studies first, especially when it comes to boyfriends. They have to prioritize their education and they have to know the boy well before they can go down that path.
Do you have a female role model?
My sister, Olga. She has taught me everything. To defend myself, to take pride in my work, to be kind and virtuous. She always tells me, "studies and building a future come first, then having a boyfriend. She's taught me so much.
Ledi & Lilibeth
Ledi and Lilibeth are a mother-daughter team who help create agua bracelets. Ledi has 5 children, and Lilibeth is the second oldest. Below, Ledi and Lilibeth chat about what it's like to work so closely with each other, and their unique take on the role of women in Ecuador.
What's it like to work together? Ledi, for you to work with your daughter--and Lilibeth, for you to work with your mother?
Lilibeth: It’s nice, but at the beginning it was hard for me because I had to train my mom and teach her how to do things around the workshop. I got really impatient with her.
Ledi: I'm glad I work with my daughter because I always know where she is and how she's doing. I know she is treated well, and is well respected and valued. Plus, we get along well.
What are your thoughts of the role in women in Ecuador? Do you think it's changed over the years?
Ledi: The truth is, my life is not very different from my mother’s. The only major difference is that my dad hit my mother. My father had a drinking problem and was very abusive, whereas my husband is much better. Otherwise my life is very similar to that of my mother, my main role is to take care of the house and the children.
Lilibeth: A lot of things have changed, like women being able to work and defend themselves, but machismo still exists here unfortunately.
What is the most valuable thing your mother taught you?
Ledi: To cook, to wash and look after the children, basically how to be a good house wife.
Lilibeth: To respect others, and to demand respect for yourself. She's also taught me a lot about perseverance.
Viviana
Viviana is instrumental in developing Andean Collection's vibrant colour palette for the popular tagua bracelets. Not only does she dye the seeds, but she also creates the formulas that achieve specific colours. Below, Viviana talks about her work, being a mum and a woman in Equador.
How long have you been working with tagua, and who taught you?
I am self-taught. I’ve been working with tagua for about 10 years and have been dying tagua seeds for about 7 years.
The Tagua Nut.
You've said that it's important for women to learn a trade, why is that?
Both men and women have to struggle together to achieve things in life, such as getting a house, raising and sustaining a family. When Christian used to travel to Otavalo to sell our products, I was able to support him. Also, I feel it's important for women to learn a trade so they can have their own income and not have to rely solely on their partner. It's a way for women to protect themselves. If the relationship falls apart, it's important to have a skill set as a safety net. Also, if women have their own income, they don’t allow men to treat them poorly. Some women justify staying with a man for all sorts of reasons, he's paying for food, the children need their father, etc; but they don’t need an abusive man in their lives, it’s much better for women to become independent and have some power to say no!
You just had a baby! Tell us about your children...
I have three daughters, Ariana (11), Emily (6) and Kristin (3 months). I love listening to them. Emily is so funny and creative, and Ariana always wants to go shopping!
Do you see the role of women changing in Ecuador?
There is definitely more equality now. Women are able to work, and men can't be macho and control women like they used to. My mother suffered a lot. Her husband didn’t value her and mistreated her. Christian values me. He always brings me into decision making at home and work, and asks for my advice and opinion. We are equals. I hope that my daughters are able to get a good education and become professionals. We will give them whatever they need to make that happen, hopefully they will make good use of it.
What is the most important thing your mother taught you?
She taught me how to gain people’s respect. She also taught me the meaning of work hard and perseverance. She told me not to rely on men. As women, we need our own income and skill set.
Who is your biggest role model?
My grandmother is a real role model for me, her name is Barbara Jesus Sanchez and she is very devout. She's lived by Christian principles her whole life, and they are not just empty words for her. She always talks about respect between men and women, to think about people’s feelings, we all deserve respect and love. For example, her husband had an affair and she took care of her husband’s lover’s son. She simply said ‘this child is not guilty of anything, why should he suffer?’ That's pretty selfless!
Luz Mila
Luz Mila runs a scarf making workshop. Below, Luz Mila talks about her family.
How many children do you have?
We have 4 children; Kevin (12), Yarina (10), Leslie (8), Chasca (5)
In what ways is your life different from your mother's?
These days women feel proud to be bother mothers and workers. It can be difficult to deal with the rising cost of living while providing for a family, and I'm proud I can do both. When my mother was my age she didn't have a very happy life. She stayed at home and couldn't work. Sometimes my father was abusive. I feel that I have more power in my life because I'm able to work. I hope my daughters will have happy lives too, I want them to study and go to university. I wasn't able to study because my parents couldn't afford it, but now my children can go to school.
What is one thing you learned from your mother that you'd like to pass along to your children?
My mother taught me how to cook, and how to take care of my home and family.
Is there a woman you look up to in life?
I greatly admire the women in the Otavalan community who are present in the community and in politics. One in particular, Luz Mila Sambrano, participates in community assemblies and has an important role outside her home.
Yolanda
Yolanda, an Assistant Artisan helps create some of our most popular necklaces, including the Tagua Bib and La Floresta necklaces. Yolanda chats about her mother below.
In what ways is your life different from your mother's?
My mother's life was very difficult. For years she worked in agriculture, doing grueling jobs that were really too tough for one person. Now she's ill and can no longer work. My life is more tranquil. I'm able to spend more time with my family.
What is one thing your mother taught you that you'll pass along to your daughter?
My mother taught me to respect everyone and to focus on the things that truly enrich your life.
Is there one woman who has been a role model for you?
I don't admire just one woman. I try to see the best qualities in every woman, and always strive to develop my best qualities.
*many thanks to the Andean Collection for allowing access to this lovely information
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