Tuesday, January 26, 2010

We need your help!

As of January 25th, the Sacred Valley has been over-run by flooding due to unprecedented rainfall. Many people have lost their homes and farmland, and some towns have completely disappeared.
In a region where poverty is already a problem and home insurance does not exist, the effects of the flooding will be felt long after the water recedes. WE NEED YOUR HELP!
If you have any extra clothes, imperishable food, or anything worth donating, please contact us through our website: nexosvoluntarios.org.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Peruvian hats on Canadian heads...sounds like a plan.

Q: What do you get when you cross Canadian university students with hand made Peruvian products?
A: Stylish scholars and happy artesans.
This week we worked with the artesans to choose products to send to the University of Western Ontario, where, with the help of our friend Umair (that´s right, we know Canadians), we will sell sell sell!
For the first round of operations, we selected 50 products including hats, gloves, jackets, purses, backpacks, rings, and many other great items. Cross your fingers, we´re hoping for big results.
In other news, the association has almost completed their proposal for the sustainable community development contest, Fondo Social NeVo, and is beginning to seriously prepare for their 2 stores in the local Hotel Libertador. In addition, the artesans sent out their first of three payment notifications to the inactive artesans in the association. This is an important step in the fortalization of the association, and we at Nexos are happy to see it finally happening.
Next week we hope to get the store in Canada up and running, and start making some real moves on an opportunity to sell ceramics in France. The proposal for the Fondo Social NeVo should be complete and we will continue prepping for Hotel Libertador.
It´s been busy in the artesan market, but busy is good, and we´re happy to put in the effort. I would also like to point out that I refrianed from making an "eh" joke this entire post, despite it´s focus on Canada. You´re welcome UWO students. Now please buy some cool Peruvian products.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Since we last spoke...

Since the last post, Nexos has enjoyed the holiday season and moved its volunteer house to a mansion with a private swimming pool, two tennis courts, and a mini-jet (maybe not all that stuff, but its has a lot more rooms). But that is just the small stuff...
The artesans are BUSY. The sewing classes are still going strong and the artesans are making some great new products including jackets, vests, purses, and gadget holders of all kinds. It is great timing because this week we are preparing to send a package of sample products to a store in the University of Western Ontario, as well as prepping the ceramistas to sell their ceramics in France. In addition, due to construction issues, we gained some more time to get ready to sell products in the local Hotel Libertador. Sound like a lot? There´s more.
Nexos Voluntarios is holding its first province wide contest between its beneficiaries to create a sustainable social development project. For the artesans, this means something that will help grow the association in the long term. We have lots of thinking to do.
That should about wrap it up for now. Check back soon, as the updates will be more regular again. ¡Feliz año neuvo de Urubamba!