Fair Trade Producers - Bolivia

The Q'ANTATI association represents 12 cooperatives with over 450 artisans who are involved in knitting, weaving, and sewing projects as well as the production of musical instruments and ceramics. One of the goals of the Q'ANTATI association is to preserve the culture of the Aymara Indians. Q'ANTATI is an Aymaran Indian word meaning "dawn", which signifies a new day and new hope for the future. Bolivia's Quechua and Aymara Indians make up over 55% of the population and are concentrated in the high Andean plateau where they struggle to earn a living as miners, herders, and weavers. Bolivia is the poorest country in South America with a per capita income of only $613 per year.