Projects > Training Activities | Recent Projects

In all of the projects previously mentioned, as for the more recent ones mentioned below, a strong emphasis is always placed on training and education.  These components are always an integral part of ASUR’s activities and have contributed to achieving the project’s considerable production goals.

Training of master female weavers
(1996, 1997 and 2001)

The intention was to develop very highly skilled female weavers so that they are not only able to produce distinguished works but also able to teach new generations and act as guides within their workshops.  These groups of “chosen ones” (or “aqllas” in Quechua) are now 100 members strong.  They are employed within their organizations to control quality and also work as teachers, not just in technical areas, but with all the cultural aspects dealing with design creation.

Training of young women weavers  
(1993, 1995, 1997 and 2000)

Training of young men weavers  
(Initiated in 1997 and continued periodically afterwards)

Young men have been trained in their local workshops, either through courses or by serving as apprentices to a local master weaver. It has often been the experience that boys are often the most eager to learn new trades when the opportunity arises. ASUR’s primary objective is to train men, especially those who are married, so that they will be able to remain in their communities, nevertheless, sons find ways to “go in place of their fathers” and so also receive training to weave tapestries and especially fine cloth. Young men receive vocational training from adults who have already mastered their trade. They are particularly drawn to the pre-Columbian tapestry technique revitalized by ASUR, where there is ample space for creativity expression through the creation of unique figures.  More recently, young men are also learning how to make carpets and fine cloths.

For both young men and women, weaving is done voluntarily during free time and represents an important source of income towards their school tuition, while also giving them the confidence of mastering a trade.

Training of men in various trades  
(Since 1995)

Given men’s pressure to participate in the textile project, ASUR sought out products and techniques that would not compete with those of the women.  Men weave in separate workshops where master weavers from other countries were brought to Bolivia to teach forgotten pre-Columbian techniques (tapestries, embroideries, and brocades) and where instructors from inside Bolivia also taught weaving and carpet making techniques.  Students, taught by foreign experts, later take charge of teaching other students, including those in other communities and other regions of Bolivia.  Through this system, 200 men have received professional training, and many of them are ready now to teach others. (Male weaver groups are organized in 13 independent production workshops).

Men and women weavers trained to produce small weaving inlays for leatherwork

Two hundred and forty of the best female and male weavers were selected for training to produce small weavings of precise sizes, appropriately designed to be later incorporated into different alpaca and llama leather products. Male and female weavers have had to adapt to this new format regarding size and perspective. This has led to the design of new looms which permit the exact measuring of the weaving as well as production in small scale.

Training of leaders in accounting, administration, and management

This has been a continuous activity over the years given the periodic renewal of the board of directors that have learned these skills in each workshop. 

Courses on Indigenous Rights  
( 2001, 2002 and 2003)

Courses have been designed to educate villagers about laws and rights affecting rural communities, and to teach them about Bolivian governmental structures conducted in association with Central Unica Departamental de Trabajadores Campesinos (a rural workers organization).

The courses are open to whole communities, not just those working in the weaving workshops.

Courses on Ethno-tourism
( 2001, 2002 and 2003)

These courses were offered in the communities of Maragua, Potolo, and Chaunaca in order to teach villagers how to welcome tourists, organize services, learn about the surrounding ecology, and take care of the natural environment in which they live.  Villagers formed Community Tourism Committees with respective rules and official legal status.

Training in Community Museums  
(Seminars in 2001 and 2002)

Workshops and seminars with local representatives from many rural areas, have sought to train people to start their own community-based museums.