Commitment to solidarity, finding autonomy through creative artistry, and defending human rights and natural resources

Seven years ago Flor de Maíz was created to promote women’s creative, organizational, and productive talents by way of artisan production. The women’s collective located in, Agua Blanca, Cacaopera, Morazán, is made up of women from four communities who continue to gain a sense of identity, pertinence, cohesion, vision, self-esteem, and confidence.

In the first five years the women were able to build a workshop where they produce: jewelry made from local materials as well as crocheted handbags and backpacks. In 2015, they built an extra room on their workshop space and bought a small oven for baking. The women trained with a local nonprofit and have recently started making cakes and sweetbreads for local celebrations.

The women are recognized as the creative artisans of the area.

In 2016, FACES financed the electrical connection to the Flor de Maíz workshop space. Between their new oven and their sewing machines, the previous electrical system was no longer sufficient. The income that the cooperative collects allows the women to become a larger part of their family’s economic sovereignty, additionally the women themselves have become increasingly financially independent.

FACES has helped support the Flor de Maíz women’s collective expand their capacity to meet the needs of the local market, so as not to depend solely on external-foreign craft sales. The visiting delegations that come through El Salvador made up a large portion of craft sales. By inserting themselves in the local market, the sustainability and autonomy of Flor de Maíz has increased.

FACES looks forward to a continued relationship with Flor de Maíz and is thankful to walk in solidarity with the strong creative women of El Salvador.