Equip a Textile Cooperative in Colombia's Slums
You can support members of a textile cooperative in the slums of Bogota, Colombia by providing them with the tools necessary to connect them to international markets that pay fair wages for quality craftsmanship. This initiative helps create a sustainable system of income generation and community solidarity in Colombia's poorest neighborhoods. Your donations would be used to purchase sewing supplies for the Concazucoop Sewing Cooperative to help them increase their production capacity and offer more products to the market. These supplies include cloth, thread, scissors, and other sewing tools.
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The Need
In the communities on the outskirts of southern Bogota, Colombia, over half the population lives in poverty, and over 80 percent have been internally displaced from their homes by Colombia's armed conflict. Most residents of these slums arrive with few assets, minimal education, and few opportunities for income generation. Many are single mothers, disabled persons, demobilized guerrillas or paramilitaries, and former child soldiers. Their glaring poverty often increases the attractiveness of supporting armed groups that can provide the community with the basic needs they lack. The textile cooperative helps to break this cycle of poverty by creating sustainable employment in the formal sector that stands to benefit the entire community.
About Ahmsa
Partner since July, 2010
Ahmsa's mission is to alleviate poverty and promote dignity in marginalized communities across the world. The organization is built upon a premise of community empowerment and opening educational and economic opportunities to marginalized communities, including refugees, internally displaced persons, former child soldiers, disabled persons, ethnic minorities, women, and youth.
With their staff of local professionals and community members, Ahmsa, in partnership with other nonprofits, local governments, and international organizations, seeks to empower people while creating community cohesion by focusing on community enterprise development, commercialization of products promoting social inclusion, and special projects relating to poverty alleviation and community development.