Long awaited updates

You know that feeling when you haven't talked to someone in a long time and it's your fault, and then you run into them and have to think of a reason why they haven't heard from you but you can't think of anything so you just change the subject?
Anyway, updates on the artisan market!
In the last post I mentioned that the artisans were awaiting the results of the sustainable development proposal contest, the NeVo Social Fund. I hate to say it, but their proposal did not win, though it was a finalist. On the bright side, the association now has a solid project proposal that we can use to look for other sources of funding. As of now we haven't found any takers, but I'm confident we will eventually.
Work with the tourism network, Arariwa is going smooth and it appears that some great things can come out of it. On the 28th, 29th, and 30th of April, the artisans, along with other artisan associations throughout the Valley, will perform a sociodrama about the problems and obstacles they face in growing their markets to various officials and authorities that can provide them assistance. It's not a conventional approach to seeking support, but the association is having fun with it and the arisans are taking the lead in making the sociodrama a success.
Hotel Libertador (now called Tambo del Inca) did not open as planned on March 31st, but word has it they'll be opening the first week of May. Despite scheduling issues, the 20 artisans that will sell their products in the hotel have decided that they will work together (finally!), with each artisan putting an equal value of products in the store, and each collecting an equal amount of the profits every 15 or 30 days. Now all there is to do is wait for the doors to open...
In other news, the municipality of Urubamba has a new head of economic development, Ing. Justo Vallenas Bellota, and Nexos and the association already have the beginnings of a strong relationship with him. He is very interested in helping the market and the association improve, and all are looking forward to working together to achieve this.
Thanks to our friend Umair, the artisans' products in Canada are selling with success. In addition, thanks to Cécile we are moving ahead strongly with the opportunity to sell ceramics in France. Big thanks from Urubamba to you both!
Lastly, coming in May and June Nexos will be recieving two new volunteers to work with the association. We all hope they will be more loyal bloggers than me....shouldn´t be hard to do.
So that's all for now! Until next time blog fans...