Guillermo – Pampeana Glass Art

Guillermo, the artisan who creates the sun catchers, lives in the highlands of Ecuador, in a rural community with few resources. Most of the indigenous people in these communities are involved in extractive industries, which create harm to the environment. Crafts work supports their culture, livelihood and self-determination. Pampeana Glass Art, the organization that brings Guillermo's creations to market, supports Fair Trade standards for labor, environmentalism and social policy. Its focus is to work with individuals in Ecuador of low education and economical resources, providing them with opportunities that allow them to have a stable environment and help them move from a position of vulnerability to one of security and economic self-sufficiency. Pampeana aims to empower these individuals by encouraging them to become stakeholders in their own organizations and to actively play a wider role in the design and development of handcraft products. In addition, Pampeana works with recycle or renewable materials that have low or no impact on our environment. Pampeana's operations impact the life of over 70 families outside the USA and about 20 families in the USA. When you purchase a product promoted by Pampeana, you become an ambassador of Fair Trade principles, supporting equality and sustainability as well as helping to preserve our environment. Small steps in the right direction take us further along our journey to a better world for everyone.