Today marks the midpoint of Women's History Month. Throughout March, we've been celebrating all the amazing women who have helped build Andean Collection, and profiling those who continue to contribute to its success. We continue with Anita, an assistant artisan at Nancy and Carlos' workshop. Anita is currently attending high school with the help of an Andean Project scholarship. She may be the youngest artisan at the workshop, but she is serious about her craft. According to Cristina, AC's Production Coordinator in Ecuador, "Anita is so charming and funny. Her energy uplifts the entire workshop. Because she's the youngest, she tries even harder to make her necklaces as perfect as possible." Cristina sat down with Anita to chat about her life before working with Nancy and Carlos, and her plans for the future.
Q&A
How did you learn you trade? Who taught you?
Nancy explained the whole jewelry making process to me, with great patience I might add. Overtime I became more skilled, and now I can make any design--necklaces, earrings, bracelets.
What do you like most about your job?
I like the challenge of it, and I take great pride in the work I do. It also makes my life easier.
Tell me about your family. How many brothers and sisters do you have?
I have 2 sisters and 2 brothers. My mother is a homemaker, and my dad sells artisan goods.
How has your life changed since working with Andean Collection?
My life has changed a lot. Before working with Andean Collection I had to stop attending school and work to help support my family. Now I'm able to attend school, which is the first step toward attaining my lifelong dream of traveling and learning other languages. Also, I'm earning more money than before so I can comfortably help support my parents and siblings.
Throughout Women's History Month we've been talking about the role of women, generation to generation. How is your life different from your mother's?
My life is different from my mom's because she has to stay at home to take care of the family, especially my younger siblings. I'm able to work and go to school. When she was my age, women weren't really allowed to leave the house and were often abused by their husbands. Now, women are helping each other, and encouraging each other to strive toward a better life--like what Amanda (AC founder) is doing with Andean Collection.
What is your favorite subject in high school?
English is my favorite. Nowadays, it's important to know another language. It's definitely a subject that is going to help me a lot in the future. (Note: Anita also speaks the indigenous language Quichua, in addition to Spanish and English.)
What would you like to be when you graduate from high school?
I would love to become a tourist guide in Ecuador because I love meeting people and visiting new places.
What's a typical day like for you?
The only things I have to do during the day, are work and study. I'm a relatively young girl, so I try not to worry about things other than school and work.
What is one thing your mother taught you that you would like to pass along to your children?That women should know how to do everything, from homemaking to difficult work outside the home, because you never know when you're going to have a need for that knowledge. She also taught me to be approach life with joy, and to think on the bright side of things.
Is there a woman you look up to?
I admire Nancy because she's a business woman who has fought hard to provide for her family, and she's a very kind person. She's a true inspiration, and I'm so lucky to be working with her.
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| Anita helps make one of Andean Collection's most popular designs, the Cascade Necklace (visible behind her) |
How did you learn you trade? Who taught you?
Nancy explained the whole jewelry making process to me, with great patience I might add. Overtime I became more skilled, and now I can make any design--necklaces, earrings, bracelets.
 |
| A complicated design from Nancy and Carlos' workshop, Brooklyn Necklace. |
I like the challenge of it, and I take great pride in the work I do. It also makes my life easier.
Tell me about your family. How many brothers and sisters do you have?
I have 2 sisters and 2 brothers. My mother is a homemaker, and my dad sells artisan goods.
How has your life changed since working with Andean Collection?
My life has changed a lot. Before working with Andean Collection I had to stop attending school and work to help support my family. Now I'm able to attend school, which is the first step toward attaining my lifelong dream of traveling and learning other languages. Also, I'm earning more money than before so I can comfortably help support my parents and siblings.
 |
| Anita joking around outside the workshop with her fellow assistant artisans, Alicia (L), Hector (R), Nancy's son Andres is in the middle |
My life is different from my mom's because she has to stay at home to take care of the family, especially my younger siblings. I'm able to work and go to school. When she was my age, women weren't really allowed to leave the house and were often abused by their husbands. Now, women are helping each other, and encouraging each other to strive toward a better life--like what Amanda (AC founder) is doing with Andean Collection.
What is your favorite subject in high school?
English is my favorite. Nowadays, it's important to know another language. It's definitely a subject that is going to help me a lot in the future. (Note: Anita also speaks the indigenous language Quichua, in addition to Spanish and English.)
What would you like to be when you graduate from high school?
I would love to become a tourist guide in Ecuador because I love meeting people and visiting new places.
 |
| Anita in Nancy's workshop. |
The only things I have to do during the day, are work and study. I'm a relatively young girl, so I try not to worry about things other than school and work.
What is one thing your mother taught you that you would like to pass along to your children?That women should know how to do everything, from homemaking to difficult work outside the home, because you never know when you're going to have a need for that knowledge. She also taught me to be approach life with joy, and to think on the bright side of things.
Is there a woman you look up to?
I admire Nancy because she's a business woman who has fought hard to provide for her family, and she's a very kind person. She's a true inspiration, and I'm so lucky to be working with her.
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