Experience of Rob Cerato

 I had the chance to volunteer with Rufada for 3 days in the rural communities of Chupani, Chaullacocha, and Rumira Sondormayo.  While in these communities I taught English to school children and worked to publicize the textile work of the women of the villages.  I learned while working there just how important these textiles can be for the women of the communities.  As tourism is starting to enter the communities these
textiles, mostly woven goods, are giving the women of the communities their first chance to earn an income for their family.  For them, this is extremely important to gain some control in a very male dominated culture.

Currently Rufada is working on a project to improve the quality of these woven sheep and alpaca goods including purses, hats, ponchos, and blankets.
They are achieving this goal and the goal of restoring the ancestral culture of weaving in the communities by creating a new building in which the women of the communities can weave together sharing ideas, sheltered from the elements.  They are also hosting workshops to introduce more complex weaving patterns to these goods.

Throughout my time in the communities, I was always amazed at how welcoming,
friendly, and giving the villagers were.  Even those that appeared as though they had nothing to give usually invited me into their home to share a meal and thank me for the work I was doing.  For me the high mountain glacier views and the experience to live alongside villagers who have been living in the same way for thousands of years was enough incentive to visit.  To give a little bit of help to these poor communities was even more rewarding.

Rufada accepts both students and professionals in its volunteer program.  If you have the chance to go on this Andean adventure, I highly recommend it!
If you have any questions about my experience you can contact me at cerato@umich.edu.

Rob Cerato, Student of the Michigan University, 2009 August

HOME