Our Women’s Work Program Artisans
Bag Team
Belen O.
My name is Belen. I am 40 years old.
I was born in Mexicali, BC, and raised here in San Luis Río Colorado, Sonora. I lived in Guanajuato, Mexico, for a few years, but I found it was too difficult for me being so far away from my family, so I came back.
I am currently married with three children, although two of them are married, so I only live with my husband and my youngest.
Throughout my life, I have worked in the fields and in local factories. I also like crafts, so from time to time, I have sold centerpieces for birthday parties and have also made the flowers that are used for the wreaths on the graves, so in the month of November, I help myself a lot by selling paper flowers.
Esmeralda V.
My name is Esmeralda V. I am 23 years old.
I have always lived in San Luis Río Colorado, Sonora. I only studied until middle school, and after that I got married and had three children, a boy and 2 girls. I've always liked nursing, so if I could I'd study to be a nurse's assistant.
But the only thing I've gotten work offers for is in the fields. I have worked in the fields with asparagus, celery, chili, cilantro, tomatillo and year when the town fair came, I also worked there selling tickets to the attractions. My husband and I have our own house, it's a small place, but it belongs to us and that gives us peace.
My long-term goal is to be able to provide my children with what they need to finish their studies.
Fatima M.
My name is Fatima. I am 22 years old.
I live with my partner and have 2 daughters. I like the Bag program because I get to do and learn different things from what I used to do, which is work in the fields. The money that comes in is a big help to support my family.
My short-term goal is to be able to save enough to buy a small car to be able to take my kids to school more easily. I also want to finish my house so they can be more comfortable.
Gabriela T.
My name is Gabriela. I am 41 years old.
I am married with three daughters and two grandchildren. We all live together, which is a blessing to me.
I was born in Sonoyta, Sonora, but we moved here so we could have peace and security since Sonoyta is a very dangerous city. I was always dedicated to my family, but since life was getting harder, I needed to find something to help with the expenses.
I love baking, and if I have the chance, I’d like to enroll in a few courses. I like to attend church and also help here at Misión de Caridad, since I find helping people one of the most rewarding things one can feel.
Isabel V.
My name is Isabel. I am 31 years old.
I was born in Oaxaca, Mexico, but I was raised here in San Luis Río Colorado. It was so difficult for my parents to find a job there, so they came to the border to give me and my five siblings a better life.
I am married with 2 girls, and I am currently making bags. I like the bag program because I have learned a lot here. Doing bags is new for me, so I like learning how to do it. If I had the chance, I wish I could study how to manage a computer.
My long term goal is to be able to complete my studies, and I believe I can still do it.
Viviana M.
My name is Viviana. I am 42 years old.
I am originally from San Luis Río Colorado, Sonora. I live with my husband and my three children. Throughout my life, I have worked as a receptionist and in a local factory that manufactures loudspeakers.
I only finished my studies up to middle school and I have always wanted to finish high school. My goal is to be able to help my husband with household expenses. He is the one who has borne most of the expenses of the house, but in the previous time, the company has cut his house after more than twenty years with them.
We have been struggling due to the cost of living, but bag making has helped me in more than one way. Aside from financial relief, it has also helped to reduce my anxiety. I find bag making quite relaxing.
Embroidery Team
Esmeralda C.
My name is Esmeralda. I’m a 26 years old.
I live with my husband and our 4 children. I always liked embroidery, but because of my work in the harvest fields, I never had the opportunity to learn, much less imagine that I could earn some money with it.
I would love to be able to help my household income with what I have learned, and our dream is to expand our house since we all live in a small room with one bathroom for everyone.
Flora v.
My name is Flora. I am 47 years old.
I have 9 children, 5 of which live with me. I am a single mother, the father of the children helps me from time to time, but I don't count on him for many things.
I work in a furniture construction factory on the night shift. I have to take that shift because during the day, I have to take my children to school, make their food, wash, clean, etc. This program has helped me a lot because I can earn extra income while not neglecting my children.
My goal is to save as much as I can to buy my own house for my children, since I currently live in a borrowed house.
Raquel G.
My name is Raquel. I am 42 years old.
I live with my husband and children. In our years of marriage, we had 5 children, but now only the little ones live with us.
Before I started embroidering, I used to be alone all the time and I used to get sick a lot. Now, I not only have fun attending embroidery classes, but I also have the opportunity to help my husband who drives a taxi. At home, we do not have electricity, so for seasons when it's very hot, we have to rent for the well-being of our children.
Our dream is to be able to pay for the installation of electricity at home and finally take care of our own home.
Sabina V.
My name is Sabina. I am 44 years old.
I am a married woman who has always been a housewife. I have 6 children, but now I only live with two, and the rest are married. I really like embroidery because now I can earn my own money. I like being able to buy things with what I make. This workshop helps me because I don't leave my children behind, it gives me time to take care of my house and take them to school.
Toribia G.
My name is Toribia. I am 26 years old.
I live with my partner and my 2 children.
This embroidery program has helped me a lot because I have finally been able to save money to send to my dad. He lives in southern Mexico, and because there are high dry seasons, he has to walk a long way to a stream.
With this job, I have already been able to buy him a water tank. I'm so happy because I can help him.
