Ruraq Maki is a United States-based nonprofit organization dedicated to creating economic and educational opportunities for low-income female artisans, primarily focusing on women working with traditional crafts in Peru and Bolivia. The name "Ruraq Maki" means "Hands that Create" in Quechua, reflecting the organization's mission to empower women through their handicraft skills.

Mission and Activities

Ruraq Maki operates with the goal of supporting female artisans by providing fair trade markets for their traditional crafts and offering free educational workshops that help women acquire new skills to generate income. This approach not only promotes sustainable livelihood but also preserves cultural heritage through traditional craftsmanship.

Programs

Yanamilla Prison Project

One of the organization's key initiatives is the Yanamilla Prison Project, which works with incarcerated women in Ayacucho, a small Andean city in Peru. The project facilitates income generation for these women by purchasing their handcrafted goods at fair trade prices. Additionally, Ruraq Maki provides jewelry-making workshops ranging from basic to advanced levels, enabling the women to develop new products with traditional materials and expand their skill sets.

Manos Independientes

Ruraq Maki also operates the Manos Independientes program, which serves rural women living in extreme poverty in Bolivia. This program aims to empower women through similar means—supporting traditional craft production and economic independence.

Support and Impact

The organization sustains its work through donations, volunteer efforts, and sales of artisan-made products. By bridging artisan communities with markets in the United States, Ruraq Maki fosters economic development while respecting cultural traditions and promoting social justice for marginalized women.

Legal Status

Ruraq Maki is registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization under U.S. tax code, which allows it to operate tax-exempt and receive tax-deductible contributions.

Ruraq Maki exemplifies a focused approach to social enterprise by integrating craft preservation with economic empowerment, targeting vulnerable female populations in South America through education and market access.