Evangelina Arivilica's knitting cooperative brings the women of her community together.
Evangelina Arivilica leads an artisan knitting group in the steep community of Nueva Aboarada, just outside Arequipa Peru. A Quechua speaker originally from the Puno region near Lake Titicaca, Eva learned hand knitting at an early age. As a young girl Eva first started knitting using dried reeds because she did not have knitting needles.
Today, Eva is a highly skilled hand knitter and runs her own knitting workshop where she conducts trainings, distributes materials, and coordinates production of Indigenous Designs knitwear and accessories.
“My work with Indigenous Designs has given me the possibility of being able to earn my own money. With my own money I make I can contribute to the improvement of my family, which is incredible. Being able to do my work at home is the best part for me. With this knitting and weaving I feel that now I am given the possibility to improve my life. With the work we get, I can also give work to the wonderful women of the community, which also helps to improve their lives and our community. I am able to have my own money to invest in my family and children.”
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