Yapuchiri Mission
Yapuchiri’s mission is to better the conditions of life of the Aymara women of the altiplano in the areas of artesania, formation, and health.
1. Artesania – Economic support for our families through our commitment to the principles of fair trade and the export of artesania.
2. Formation – Social/educational assistance to value ourselves as women and as Aymara (promote our cultural identity), and to work so that the Aymara woman is valued within the community and society.
3. Health – Social/health assistance promoting holistic health, and safeguarding the integral well-being of the women.
Yapuchiri’s vision is to found a small center of artesania, formation, and health for the women.
1. Artesania
- To promote the development of artesania in its diverse disciplines
- To train ourselves in artesania skills as well as enhance our ability to assist others
- To incorporate other women of low economic resources (when enough orders arrive to be able to expand)
- To train in quality improvement
- To provide workshop space
- To organize all type of events, seminars, artesania fairs
- To promote a more just economic reality
2. Formation
- To found centers of formation and holistic training for Aymara women
- To train in self-esteem, women’s rights, etc.
- To affirm our cultural identity and values
- To train in other themes that would be important/necessary for the women
3. Health
- To provide training to the artisans in aspects of holistic health
- To promote natural medicine
- To watch over the rights of women against domestic violence and welcome any member who would need refuge
- To promote the raising of small animals and family gardens
After visiting Yapuchiri in Peru in 2004, a couple graciously provided the money so that we were able to buy a plot of land on the outskirts of the altiplano town of Juli, an area well-traversed. We have each given from what we knit as we are inspired to have a location. We realize we will need collaboration to achieve our goals.
Following are the 10 Standards of Fair Trade that are important to us:
Standard One: Creating Opportunities for Economically Disadvantaged Producers
The organization supports marginalized small producers, whether these are independent family businesses, or grouped in associations or co-operatives. It seeks to enable them to move from income insecurity and poverty to economic self-sufficiency and ownership.
Standard Two: Transparency and Accountability
The organization is transparent in its management and commercial relations. The communication channels are good and open at all levels of the supply chain.
Standard Three: Trading Practices
The organization trades with concern for the social, economic and environmental well-being of marginalized small producers and does not maximize profit at their expense. It is responsible and professional in meeting its commitments in a timely manner. Suppliers respect contracts and deliver products on time and to the desired quality and specifications.
Standard Four:Payment of a Fair Price
A fair price is one that has been mutually agreed by all through dialogue and participation, which provides fair pay to the producers and can also be sustained by the market. Fair pay means provision of socially acceptable remuneration (in the local context) considered by producers themselves to be fair and which takes into account the principle of equal pay for equal work by women and men. Fair Trade marketing and importing organizations support capacity building as required to producers, to enable them to set a fair price.
Standard Five: Against Child Labor and Forced Labor
The organization adheres to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and national/local law on the employment of children. The organization ensures that there is no forced labor in its workforce and/or members or homeworkers.
Standard Six: Non Discrimination, Gender Equity and Freedom of Association
The organization does not discriminate in hiring, remuneration, access to training, promotion, termination or retirement based onrace, caste, national origin, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation, union membership, political affiliation, HIV/Aids status or age.
Standard Seven: Working Conditions
The organization provides a safe and healthy working environment for employees and/or members. It complies, at a minimum, with national and local laws and ILO conventions on health and safety.
Standard Eight: Capacity Building
The organization seeks to increase positive developmental impacts for small, marginalized producers through Fair Trade. The organization develops the skills and capabilities of its own employees or members. Organizations working directly with small producers develop specific activities to help these producers improve their management skills, production capabilities and access to markets – local/ regional/international/Fair Trade and mainstream as appropriate.
Standard Nine: Promotion of Fair Trade
The organization raises awareness of the aim of Fair Trade and of the need for greater justice in world trade through Fair Trade.
Standard Ten: Environment
Organizations which produce Fair Trade products maximize the use of raw materials from sustainably managed sources in their ranges, buying locally when possible. They use production technologies that seek to reduce energy consumption and where possible use renewable energy technologies that minimize greenhouse gas emissions.