Background to the Arpillera Project
Peru has long been famous for its textiles. In fact, textiles
dating back 6,000 years have been discovered - the fabric intact and their
brilliant colors undiminished, preserved from deterioration by the dry desert
air. Arpilleras are a very common cultural form of decoration in Peruvian
households. These wall hangings tell the story of the region where the
artists are from, describing the local life of the community. Typical scenes
include a wedding, the marketplace, workers in the fields, even their
livestock. In English terms, Arpilleras are embroidered collages, or
3-dimensional quilts.
The Arpillera Sewing Project consists of groups of women in the pueblos
jovenes and invasiones, located in the desert hills on the outskirts of Lima,
who gather together weekly to work on sewing projects and improve their
sewing skills. 75% of heads of households are underemployed; the majority
making a living from informal trades in construction work as masons or
assistants. Their average monthly income range is less than $150 (£100)
/month. The material that the women use is off-cuts purchased from shops and
factories by weight. After purchasing a bundle, they sort it and decide how
they can best use the fabric. They meet together on a weekly basis, then
continue working at home. The women have become good friends and discuss
their problems and pray together at the weekly meetings. The Arpilleras they
create, depict scenes of both country life and city life in Peru, and also
biblical events, such as Noah's Ark or Jesus' birth and the visit of the 3
Wisemen. The work is very detail-oriented and requires advanced skills.
A member of the English-speaking congregation from the
Episcopal Diocese of Peru , Jean Samaniego, leads this group of women.
Products include Christmas trees, Christmas stockings, Christmas tree
surrounds, cushion covers, wall hangings, oven mitts, teacosies, toilet roll
covers, bags and Bible covers.
The revenue generated from the sale of these products helps reinforce the
women’s family budget. Without support, many needs would not be met
including their children’s education.
The project is specifically for making articles to be sold in the United
States and the United Kingdom. The money raised through the sale of Arpillera
articles goes directly back to the ladies who sew the articles. They are
required to use the money for the betterment of themselves and their
household. For example, the income may be used to take a class in sewing, or
build an extra room onto their house in order to host an Arpillera group, or
send their child to a better school or to be educated in a trade.
Items currently brought across to the UK include Christmas Trees –
embroidered collages in the shape of Christmas Trees and with subject matter
surrounding the Nativity – cushion covers (a recent one depicted scenes
from Noah’s Ark), wonderful stoles for priests and rather spectacular
large wall hangings. Three groups look after UK sales, Revd. Matthew Godfrey
from Bodmin, Margaret Rutter from the Diocese of Worcester (partner Diocese
to Peru) and Chris and Nick Roberts.
Financial and material support for this project will help to
continue to provide resources, training and income to people in one of Lima's
poorest areas.
Our latest message from Jean, the project co-ordinator in Lima
Dear Nick,
Many thanks for the profit. We are buying tables to work on, as we always
need more surfaces, and are putting in some wide shelves in a room we have
acquired in the church where we work. One of the groups is now up to 10
members. We now have 3 groups: Sermilla (which means Seed) which is the
original group, now with 8 members. The daughter of one of the originals was
the last to join, and then married and now comes with her 2 year-old boy.
The second group began in 2000, and was taught by one of the founding ladies.
Various babies have arrived since then, and the mums have worked with baby
asleep on lap while they sew over him/her, or walk around with baby on back
while they continue sewing. They are called Dorcas.
The third group began in 2005, and we funded their teaching with the extra
you sent from sales, and bought fabrics for them to work with for the first
few months. We now have something put aside in a revolving fund, so they can
buy more cheaply in larger quantities and then pay it back. Of this group 2
are studying nursing, with one specializing in the handicapped. Their income
is used to pay for their study materials.
There are now 25 women directly involved in our meetings. They then give work
to other women (men also) as they buy some of the dolls from someone who
specializes in them, they buy baskets, sometimes they buy the fruits and veg.
for the market scenes. In fact, one of the ladies is caring for a 12 year-old
orphan boy, and has taught him to make fruits and veg. She then brings them
to the group and sells them, to give him an income.
The basic income the ladies receive for their work always helps towards
upgrading their housing. Several have been able to put a proper roof on, and
have gradually been able to build brick walls. several of their older
children have completed training: one as a nurse, another is completing a 3
year course in mechanics, and another is in his 5th year of law studies. They
have all had eye tests and several definitely needed glasses, and then
extensive dental treatment has been most necessary for several. These things
would have been neglected without the steady income from the arpilleras.
