Yanamilla Prison Project

Highlights:

This trip the women are learning metal stamped jewelry. Even though we have had metal stamping classes in the past, it’s the first time for most of the women. That means we’re back to basics with the metal stamping and the women are practicing the basic techniques. 

Today we made metal stamped bracelets with special words or phrases and designs! For their very first time the women did an amazing job practicing the techniques and had a blast designing their bracelets. And they loved the creative aspect of metal stamping which opens up so many creative possibilities. 

Today was one of many firsts! Our first metal stamping class and Board President, Virginie’s, first time visiting the prison and meeting the women. Here’s what she says about her experience in the prison:

“The prison is a place where they have put a lot of effort into, the special room that they have for creation and textile work. And of course, what was phenomenal for me was to meet all the women that I’ve heard stories about, meet them in person, and see clearly how some of them are really into it and help the others. That was really fantastic to witness.”

At the end of the day, as we waited to leave the prison, a few of the women spoke to us about wanting ongoing support after they leave the prison. One of the problems they are facing is that when they leave the prison, there is no work for them. They want to continue using the skills that they’ve learned in the prison and take those skills to the outside.

Specifically they need access to the materials, a place to work, and orders. Which is where you come in! When you purchase our products you’re not just supporting the organization, you’re supporting the women.  The women are paid upfront for their work and all the proceeds from the products go back to the women in the form of more orders. 

While the orders generate income for the women, they also create more orders, which means more women have the opportunity to work and it creates ongoing income for the women. If you haven’t checked out our online store, please shop and support the women!

Watch the live video blog above, or catch the highlights below!

An Early Goodbye

One of the women who has been in our programs for 8 years is getting released in July! We talked a bit about her release today and how she’s really excited to go to her home, in the North of Peru, and see her daughter who is now 8 years old.

As we chatted, we both got a bit emotional about this being the last trip that I’ll see her. She did promise to find me on Facebook but, still, the sense of having of known someone for such a long time and knowing that you won’t see them regularly any more is bittersweet.

Also, she reminded me that she has a photo of me holding her daughter when she was 6 months old and living in the prison! That reminder impacted me, because I realized how long and deep our relationship has become over the years.

“I Can’t Believe I Did It”

There’s a new woman in our programs, Erika, who is a riot! She has a very positive attitude about everything and is a light hearted jokester. Yesterday, she tried to learn the more difficult leather braiding technique and after 45 minutes (and several round of having to take everything apart) she gave up and went back to the easier braid.

However, all day, you could sense her disappointment and she even said she was surprised at herself because she’s usually very good at picking things like that up.

Today, she tried again. At first, she didn’t get it. But after 30 minutes she finally got the technique and was giddy with excitement about getting it! She kept saying, “I can’t believe it! I can’t believe I did it!”

This is a perfect example of a secondary part of our programs, which is learning how to learn and showing the women that they can trust themselves and their skills. This is crucial for the women when it comes to leadership building, self-esteem building, and trusting in a sense of what’s possible for the future.

Ripples of Impact

On the way home, Senor Alberto reminded me of something that I didn’t realize: One of the women from the leather sandal making class is now part of a small sandal making enterprise in the prison!

Senor Alberto said to me, “What I love about working with you is that even though the women don’t always sell what they learn to make, it expands their ideas of what’s possible and what they’re interested in.”

This woman was in our sandal making class in August, and now just 6 months later, her and group of women are making sandals. It’s a different technique, but the class opened up something for her about making and selling sandals. And while it wasn’t a linear path of take the class-> sell leather sandals, the ripple effect is something far more sustainable because it’s based on her desires and interests.