Background
At the request of women living in the rural community of Huancarani, ‘Proyecto Artesanía Zona Andina’ (PAZA) began in July of 2007. The original focus of the project was to teach natural dye techniques and to market traditional weavings. Peace Corps volunteer Dorinda Dutcher spearheaded this program before Peace Corps left in 2008. In October of 2008 Dorinda returned to Independencia to continue the work she began as a volunteer.
During 2009 a series of five natural dye workshops were given in four additional rural communities, and two of those communities are beginning to produce weavings to sell.
Dorinda established a “biblioteca” in a small room in her house to offer children a place to do their homework. Cooking classes have been offered throughout the past three years, and children have produced cookies and cakes to sale at local fairs.

Artesanía Instructor
Doña Máxima Cortéz is the Coordinator for PAZA and manages the small artesanía store. She and her family are originally from Huancarani and she has been involved with the activities of PAZA since its inception. Doña Máxima is a talented weaver, and a local trainer of natural dyes.

Objectives
The objective of Project Independencia is to bring education, materials, distribution channels and greater profits to residents of Independencia. Dorinda’s volunteer project will aid in expanding on these goals and allow more technical assistance to be brought to the women and children she works with.

Who do they help?
The program works with women`s organization in Independencia who seek assistance with improving their weaving and dyeing techniques so that they can make greater profits from the sales of their traditional handmade textile items.

Working conditions
Independencia is nestled in an isolated valley of the Cordillera Oriental, 220 km. northwest of Cochabamba at an altitude of 8,000 feet. There is a daily departure each morning from Cochabamba for the 8-10 hour bus ride, which climbs out of the Cochabamba valley, crosses the altiplano, and descends into the pueblo of Independencia located in the province of Ayopaya, in the departamento of Cochabamba. Dorinda has a room for volunteers in the home she shares with a local family or volunteers may stay at a nearby hostel. The volunteer work is very hands-on and some physical labor may be involved. This is a project for independent volunteers who are interested in working in a rural setting.

Projects:

Youth Development
The academic school year is February through November, and tutoring is needed in all subjects at all grade levels. During school holidays in July, December, and January volunteer projects could include day camp activities in any subject.

Traditional Artesanía Workshops
Dorinda’s program gives natural dye and quality improvement workshops in rural Quechua communities. Any volunteer who spins, knits, or weaves would be able to bridge the language barrier. Technical assistance is needed to teach the use of a horizontal loom, sewing classes, product design, and the design of educational and promotion materials related to the rich heritage of Andean textiles. Assistance is also needed in teaching Quechua women customer service and appropriate sales techniques in selling to international visitors. Although PAZA´s mission is artesanìa, there have been requests for soap making, traditional medicine, and cooking classes in the rural communities.

Volunteer/ Internship requirements

• Basic Spanish
• Interest in working with indigenous and rural communities at a grass roots level
• Artistic skills preferred, especially in the area of textiles and weaving
• Be flexible, motivated, tolerant and enthusiastic
• Due to the remote location, volunteers should be healthy and in good physical shape.
• Minimum commitment of one week