Handmade by Friendship Bridge® is a Microcredit Plus service of the nonprofit social enterprise Friendship Bridge. We support the artisans of Friendship Bridge by acquiring the skills, education, learning experiences, support, and technical assistance they need to reach their potential and independently sell their handmade products in local, national, and international markets.
History:
Handmade by Friendship Bridge® was known as the Artisan Market Access Program in 2015 and became its own brand in 2019. As a learning organization, Friendship Bridge has evolved substantially since it began work in Guatemala in 1998 to support women living in poverty and with limited economic opportunities. It has diversified its offerings and provided additional products and services since its founding. Friendship Bridge discovered—through surveys and research—the need of many of the artisan women for access to new markets to sell their products and bolster their income. However, many of the artisans faced geographical and language barriers and/or did not have the business skills necessary to thrive in today’s marketplace.
Timeline:
Line of Business:
We are an e-commerce retail and wholesale brand. All of our products are carefully handmade by Guatemalan artisan women.
"Through my time with Handmade by Friendship Bridge®, I have felt empowered. I have been able to provide for my family. I also am grateful to Handmade for giving me the opportunity to participate and be an independent woman. Thank you."
Friendship Bridge is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit social enterprise creating opportunities that empower women in Guatemala to build a better life. We work primarily with indigenous women in rural Guatemala where the rate of poverty is highest. While illiteracy and poverty rates are staggering in these regions, the women we work with are determined to create a change.
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