VirtuousWomanCA

Seven years ago, we were made aware of the Mujer Virtuosa project in Costa Rica founded by Moviendo Esperanzas. They have been working in Barra del Colorado for numerous years on poverty-alleviating projects to provide hope for local residents.

Mujer Virtuosa (Virtuous Woman) was started to provide the necessary skills to a group of women to financially support themselves. This ranged from crafting skills to business skills to become entrepreneurs independently and collectively. Because they live in a remote riverside community where it can only be accessed by boat or plane, travelling to nearby towns and cities are limited and a financial burden.

In 2017, we began working with them to bring their craft products into North America, giving the women a global platform to not only sell their crafts but to share their stories of hope and overcoming difficulties for themselves and their families. Each piece is uniquely handmade with recycled material found locally or donated by travellers and supporters.

Under Virtuous Woman Canada, we work with this group of women by providing guidance and feedback on design, developing packaging and brand, bringing awareness to their stories, and selling their crafts to a wider audience. Proceeds go into a community account where they learn entrepreneurial skills such as managing marketing expenses, operational costs, and wages.