As part of our 'Meet Our Indigenous Wayuu Artisans' series, which introduces our indigenous Wayuu artisans to you in a more up-close-and-personal way, it is our pleasure to share Alejandrina's story with you. Alejandrina is a widow and single mother who is building a bright future for herself and her daughter. MEET ALEJANDRINA Indigenous Artisan Here in the Cucurumana community, it’s so peaceful that you can hear the wind whistling as it brushes against the trees. Our community has had to overcome many difficulties in the past few years, but we have definitely emerged stronger and more united than before. Our community has had to overcome many difficulties in the past few years, but we have definitely emerged stronger I’m a widow and a single mother of a beautiful young girl who I’ve been able to support with my earnings from Lombia, and now that she is old enough, I can’t wait to pass down to her all the knowledge and wisdom that my mother taught me. Most importantly, I want her to have choices that I didn’t have so she can choose her own path in life. I want my daughter to have choices that I didn’t have so she can choose her own path in life My goals for this year are to continue to be able to pay for my daughter’s education without having to worry, so that she can have a bright future, and so that she’ll always carry the Wayuu magic within her, whatever she may choose to do.

As part of our 'Meet Our Indigenous Wayuu Artisans' series, which introduces our indigenous Wayuu artisans to you in a more up-close-and-personal way, it is our pleasure to share Rosa's story with you. Rosa is a young woman who used to dream of being a policewoman before she discovered her love for crafting Wayuu bags. MEET ROSA Indigenous Artisan and Coordinator Although I’ve always loved weaving, I wanted to become a policewoman a few years back. There’s not a lot of options in the region of La Guajira, and I felt it was a job that could provide me with financial stability. I had to take an exam to pass the police test that cost a considerable amount of money. As I didn’t have enough, I got a private loan at a 10% monthly interest rate I was never able to pay back. I’ve learnt that it’s possible to earn a stable income from doing what I love the most - making Wayuu mochilas In the end, I didn’t pass the test and still had to pay back the money loaned. Lombia took on my debt at 0% interest which I was able to pay back in less than a year. Since then, I’ve also learnt that it’s possible to earn a stable income from doing what I love the most - making Wayuu mochilas that spread beauty around the world. Here in the Ranchería Cucurumana, our community is like a family, and luckily I’m able to support many others with my earnings. My goals for this year are to finish building the shared bathroom for our community My goals for this year are to finish building the shared bathroom for our community so that we no longer have to make long trips to the mountains, and to begin saving up to start a family in the next few years.

As part of our 'Meet Our Indigenous Wayuu Artisans' series, which introduces our indigenous Wayuu artisans to you in a more up-close-and-personal way, it is our pleasure to share Hayson's story with you. Hayson is one of the few male artisans in the Guajira region of Colombia, but has proved himself as very capable at his craft. MEET HAYSON Indigenous Artisan Even though the art of weaving is usually reserved for the women of our community, some men like myself do enjoy getting involved. Although I must say, we have had to prove ourselves amongst our women first! We have had to prove ourselves amongst our women first While most men dedicate themselves to looking after farm animals, agriculture and fishing, my creativity and curiosity has led me towards crocheting. I enjoy how the vibrant colors of the threads come together to create what is our heritage today. I also hope to grow as an individual and to support other community members My goals for this year are to continue working alongside Lombia to produce Wayuu bags, in the hope that more people take an interest in Wayuu culture. I also hope to grow as an individual and to support other community members as my art continues to flourish.

As part of our 'Meet Our Indigenous Wayuu Artisans' series, which introduces our indigenous Wayuu artisans to you in a more up-close-and-personal way, it is our pleasure to share Leane's story with you. Leane is a weaver in training and is one of the most talented weavers in her community at only 12 years old. MEET LEANE Weaver in training My name is Leane, and although I am only 12 years old, I have been diligently working on my crocheting skills since I was a little girl. My Wayuu bags are so well woven, they are mistaken for the work of more experienced artisans in my community. When I grow up, I want to become a doctor to help others here that don’t have access to medical care When I grow up, I want to become a doctor to help others here that don’t have access to medical care. Outside of school, when I’m not studying, I like to sit in a hammock with the women of my community and crochet My main goal is to use my talent to support my mom and my younger siblings I may be considered the most talented weavers within my community, but my main goal is to use my talent to support my mom and my younger siblings, trying to understand how I can contribute more.

As part of our 'Meet Our Indigenous Wayuu Artisans' series, which introduces our indigenous Wayuu artisans to you in a more up-close-and-personal way, it is our pleasure to share Sarnelis' story with you. Sarnelis is a young mother who works hard to provide for her children whilst creating magical Wayuu bags in the Guajira region of Colombia. SARNELIS Indigenous Artisan Hola! My name is Sarnelis and I am 29 years old. I have 5 beautiful children that I care for whilst working on creating Wayuu bags. I feel I represent the majority of Wayuu women as many are young mothers and the main (if not only) financial providers for their families. I’m a dedicated and responsible craftswoman who loves sharing my art with you all. I’m a dedicated and responsible craftswoman who loves sharing my art with you all. In fact, committing my time to creating art pieces of the highest quality for Lombia fills me with joy and pride, which I hope comes across for you in my bags. My goals this year are to continue working hard to give my little ones the best conditions possible. My goals this year are to continue working hard to give my little ones the best conditions possible and to keep making bags that transmit the warmth of my land to your hearts.

As part of our 'Meet Our Indigenous Wayuu Artisans' series, which introduces our indigenous Wayuu artisans to you in a more up-close-and-personal way, it is our pleasure to share Aminta's story with you. Aminta is one of our most experienced artisans and has taught generations of women the craft of creating mochila bags in the Guajira region of Colombia. MEET AMINTA Indigenous Artisan My name is Aminta, and I’m one of the most experienced artisans of my community. I have channeled my years of wisdom and teachings accumulated from the women before me into my hand woven bags. It brings me great joy to share this art with you all. I have channeled my years of wisdom and teachings accumulated from the women before me into my hand woven bags I’m from the community of Cucurumana, which is located in the desert, rural plains of La Guajira. Here it’s beautiful and peaceful, and even though our conditions can be challenging due to the harsh climate, our community is lucky to have access to a clean water supply. I’ve been blessed to be the mother of 8 children, who have shown me love and support in my old age. With over 65 years of experience as an artisan, I am a highly respected member of my community With over 65 years of experience as an artisan, I am a highly respected member of my community who has had the honor of passing down my wisdom to other women. My goal for this year is to remain healthy and able so that I am able to continue creating mochilas and passing down the knowledge I’ve gained from my ancestors to the younger generations to keep our traditions alive long after I’ve left this earth.