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"The rain didn't take us"

June 3^rd, 2019

In 2017 the Piura River rose 1.8 metres and burst its banks and flooded Catacaos, a town in northern Peru known for its gastronomy and crafts.

In Juana Solano’s workshop, two years later, the high water mark can still be seen.

Juana was eight when her mother taught her to weave, passing down the ancient family tradition that she had learned, in turn, from her mother.

Juana’s business, like those of other weavers in town, was severely affected by the flood and subsequent mudslide, which killed several people, affected more than 90,000, swept away the work of more than 300 women, and left them unemployed for several months.

In the six months following the flood, Juana’s income dropped by 90 percent. She estimates she lost more than US$12,000. She was not alone. About 70 percent of the town’s artisans were in a similar predicament.

But she and the other women business owners have learned from disaster and have, with UNDP’s help, used it to strengthen their associations, businesses, and lives.

"The rain didn't take us. We're still weaving, we're recovering," she says.

María Mendoza is weave master and leader of the Virgen del Socorro Association, which began in 1987 with 30 women weavers. She vividly remembers her craft work being carried away by the floods.

But she and her daughter Cecilia picked up the pieces and went back to work again to regain what was lost.

All the women are part of Tejiendo Futuro, an initiative developed by UNDP and the private sector to rebuild and strengthen Catacaos businesses, and to prepare themselves for future disasters which hopefully will not affect them so badly.

María Mendoza is weave master and leader of the Virgen del Socorro Association, which began in 1987 with 30 women weavers.

The artisans slowly but surely began to recover by developing their businesses and connecting their craftmanship to markets within Peru as well as internationally.

Private sector organizations and the government are also working with them to develop business models, strengthen their leadership within their communities, and to highlight the value they have as women, as artisans, and entrepreneurs.

Zuly, Juana’s daughter, says it’s important to have alliances to bring opportunities to them and strengthen their businesses.

"What I liked most was that they taught us about ourselves, how to value ourselves and our work," she says.

Tejiendo Futuro, an initiative developed by UNDP and the private sector to rebuild and strengthen Catacaos businesses.

Through UNDP's support, these association leaders have not only reactivated their economy, they're stronger than ever. They now have sustainable business plans and contingency strategies in cooperation with the local government, to avoid the negative consequences a future flood, and now these artisans can dream big.

Juana and Mercedes are presidents leading two important associations in the region, and dedicate their time to weave the region’s fine toquilla straw, which is traditionally used to make panama hats. This activity is not only art, it is also their means of life, their work, and what allows them to support their children and provide for their education.

"My dream is to see my products known all over the world," Mercedes says.

A weaver prepares fine toquilla straw, which the Catacos region is famous for.

Piura's Tourism and Commerce Bureau is working with artisans to connect them with international markets, as well as networking with national and international designers to further develop and improve their products.

"Recovery is going forward, start again and reactivate, more than anything else, our means of life," says Eliliana Castillo, United Nations Volunteer.

Just like Juana, María and Zuly, more than 300 artisans keep weaving in the Peruvian north, sharing their knowledge with other women to learn how to innovate and empower themselves, leaving no one behind.

Tejiendo Futuro was developed by UNDP Peru and Peru's Energy Network, in an alliance with the Ministry of Labour's Impulsa Perú programme, Belcorp's Grandes Mujeres programme and Universidad de Piura

One of Tejiendo Futuro's popular panama hats. "My dream is to see my products known all over the world," Mercedes, leader of the weavers association, says.

Footnotes

Stories by PNUD Perú /Mariana Iturrizaga; Photography by PNUD Perú/Mónica Suárez Galindo, Jose Olcese; Photo editing by Rico Cruz, photography intern at UNDP New York.

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FootNotes

Stories by PNUD Perú /Mariana Iturrizaga; Photography by PNUD Perú/Mónica Suárez Galindo, Jose Olcese; Photo editing by Rico Cruz, photography intern at UNDP New York.