Painted Rainforest Boxes

Only available in small size at this time 2.75" x 2.75" x 2.25"

In the mid 1980's, CIDAC gave the children at the school of Urubicha paper and colored pencils, and asked them to draw the life of the community. The results were absolutely suprising, and inspired this NGO to create a permanent workshop of painting and ceramics for children and young adults. This become reality in 1989 when Ruben Oryai, a young Guarayo, became the first student at the Experimental Workshop of Santa Cruz. He later returned to his community with the promise to teach what he had learned.

This project continues to bring young indigenous artisans to Santa Cruz. They receive housing and food while they attend high school, since higher education is often not available in remote communities. They also work in the workshop to learn a trade, earn money, and then return to their villages to teach the craft to others.

What started with just one boy has expanded and remained a viable social and environmental project to help indigenous Bolivian youth and their communities.

The designs on these certified sustainably harvested wooden boxes will vary, but they will have bright colors and animal/nature designs. Note how the designs continue across the lid down the side of the box! The lids are connected to the boxes with hinges.

These young Bolivian artisans appreciate your support to help them improve their lives.

Here is a translated story from one boy early in history of the workshop:

We meet everyday at the Center for Empowerment of Hamaqueras, where we have our workshop. Here we all work together. Now we are 16 boys, the youngest is 11. We paint as is the custom of the Guaraya, the life as it is in Urubicha, the birds, the plants and animals that also we know. Our work has had much success in the city and also in our town of Urubicha. The teachers of the local school come to watch and learn about our work; when visitors come they know our work and they are astonished at our paintings. For us it is very good to have our workshop, because there are no alternatives for the youth; for this reason they go to find work in other cities. I have my family, and with the painting I can support myself. Also we prepare ourselves by learning to manage our costs and our money. Soon we are going to begin to work in ceramics, for this we have already built our oven so that we can give work to more boys. Here the need is great.