Ovejomana
Ovejomana is a Wayuu community located about one hour from Riohacha along the road to Valledupar. The community is only accessible via a 4x4 or motorcycle, since the road is in bad condition and is not maintained by the local government. During the rainy season it is washed out by a gushing river, making it extremely difficult for people to get to and from the city to earn money and buy necessities.
Communicating with the artisans in Ovejomana is also very challenging because there is no electricity in the community and barely any cell reception. We hope to donate a solar panel to the village.
Seven of the eight artisans we work with in Ovejomana are sole earners providing for their families with their earnings from One Thread Collective. In the absence of employment opportunities nearby, selling mochilas is currently their only source of income for women in Ovejomana.
Four of the artisans from Ovejomana are participating in the Escuela Yalayalaa, a 10-month leadership school held in our offices in Riohacha, where they are learning to develop a community-led sustainable project that will improve food security in the community.