ABOUT US

¡Bienvenidos, amigos! Welcome friends!

It is our pleasure to lead you on a journey through the brilliant and cheerful world of Salvadoran folk art. Meet the villagers of El Salvador, who after a devastating civil war are fashioning a future filled with peace and hope. These talented and skilled artisans produce items which are lovingly handcrafted in the beautiful countryside colors and festive hues of their homeland. The hard-working people of El Salvador are people of art, of strong family bonds, of faith, and of hospitality. We are very proud to offer you a variety of beautiful embroidered, sewn, painted, glazed and woven gifts that you will cherish for many years to come.

Each time you purchase these beautiful crafts you are putting your dollars to work for others because your purchase directly helps the artisans to put food on their tables, a roof over their heads and send their children to school. Imagine! Gifts that give twice: first through their unique beauty, and second by building a world of human dignity. These beautiful crafts reflect the history, culture and struggle of the Salvadoran people and will bless your home, workplace, school or church with the message of hope conveyed through their art.

So welcome, amigos. We are proud to be your guides on this delightful journey.

About Project Salvador and People of Hope Crafts

Project Salvador is incorporated in the State of Colorado and recognized by the IRS as the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, “Project Salvador Crafts, Inc.”. We do business as Project Salvador (funding community projects) and People of Hope Crafts (sustainable community development through crafts purchase).

Mission Statement:

The mission of Project Salvador is to aid the people of El Salvador in implementing their own vision of justice. We express our solidarity and deepen our relationship with El Salvador by creating awareness in the United States of the plight of the marginalized in Central America, and by supporting grassroots community development through funding of projects in El Salvador and marketing of fair trade crafts in the United States.

People of Hope Crafts Facts

People of Hope Crafts supports a network of 20 artisan cooperatives throughout El Salvador through the sales & marketing of their crafts in the United States. We are committed to paying fair wages and establishing sustainable livelihoods.

Our artisans are paid up-front: half of the total upon placement of our order, half upon receipt. This practice ensures that the artisans’ income is not contingent upon our sales, even if we are unable to sell an item.

Our artisan groups are a fascinating mixture of individuals including women’s cooperatives, cooperatives of Salvadorans with disabilities, and urban and rural groups. Some groups work in established workshops, while others produce the handicrafts in their homes.

We make regular visits to El Salvador throughout the year to ensure that working conditions in the co-ops meet our standards for fairness and justice. These visits are an excellent opportunity to build friendships and alliances with our artisan partners and learn new ways to support these groups. DUE TO OUR LOW PERCENTAGE OF ORGANIZATIONAL INCOME FROM CRAFTS SALES, WE GLADLY WELCOME YOUR TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION!

We visit El Salvador at least one time per year to ensure that working conditions in the co-ops from which we purchase are just and humane. Our visits are also an opportunity to develop strong friendships with those from whom we purchase!

Get Involved With Us!

There are many ways that you can work to improve the lives of our Salvadoran artisan friends from right here from the United States! Here are just a few:

• MAKE A PURCHASE! Shop online, from our store (address listed below), through mail order, at a crafts sale or from one of our wholesale partners. We also work with nonprofit groups to provide items in quantity at a reduced rate.
• HOST A SALE! We work hard to get the word out about our talented artisan partners by participating in sales throughout the Rocky Mountain Region and beyond. Since we participate in over 100 sales per year, we can make hosting a sale fun and easy! So is your church having an alternative gift fair? Has your group been looking for a way to promote diversity and enhance cultural appreciation? We work with everyone from schools to churches and community groups to individuals. And we would LOVE to hear from you about hosting a sale!
• WHOLESALE! Own your own store? We have working wholesale relationships with over 100 retailers throughout the U.S. We can help you to pick a starter package, market the items to your customers, and spread the word and warmth about the power of alternative gift-giving.
• VOLUNTEER FOR A SALE! Being at over 100 sales per year, we always need volunteers! A typical commitment involves 4-6 hours (usually on a weekend) during which time you man our table, talk to customers about the artisan groups and products, and enjoy the company of others who are intrigued by the crafts and stories that the world has to offer! Training is provided.
• SPREAD THE WORD! Word-of-mouth has allowed us to provide support to Salvadoran craftspeople for 20 years. If you know of an upcoming sale for which we might be well-suited, let us know! And if you know of someone who would love the bright colors and playful designs of our folk art, please tell them about our website. Better yet, drop into our store together when you’re in the Denver-metro area!
• DONATE money: