K'antu Club Promotes Empowerment and Education in Peru
Catch an important movement at its beginning. In preparation for the holiday bash, here is an interview with the K'antu Club leader where she discusses the goal of the project.
Image Credit: Sinaia Campora
Sinaia Campora, Club Leader
What is K'antu?
It's a non profit organization that started last year (2015), so it's very new. We sell hand-made bracelets from mother artisans in Peru. All the proceeds go to funding their children's higher education, as well as paying the mothers three times their average pay. In a lot of developing countries, women don't have a voice. K'antu shows these Peruvian mother's talent, and culture while supporting their children.
How did K'antu start?
After visiting Peru for the first time my sister and her Peruvian friend decided to crate a foundation that would help bring out the voices of these hardworking women to eventually empower them.
You said K'antu is very new, how has the first year been for the foundation?
It's been a long and hard journey since starting; K'antu is slowly but surely getting there! Thankfully we have made a lot of progress. Within these past couple of months we have been working on our website (which is almost ready), as well as collaborating with other jewelry designers for future collections. And we have an Etsy!
How are the bracelets made?
Each bracelet is hand-made in Peru. It takes the women three hours to make them, so each bracelet is really a special piece, they're all one of a kind.
What do the designs and colors stand for?
We have lots of designs to represent different personalities, all the bracelets are named after Incan gods. We give the definition of each god under the bracelet, so people can pick which one they identify with the most. We like to enable people who buy our bracelets to make it their own. The bracelets are so versatile, anyone can wear them, and in lots of different ways. I've seen it worn as a choker a lot.
How can AUP students buy a bracelet?
We're getting a shipment which we'll sell at the holiday bash! They make great gifts, and by buying one you're giving to a great cause, and getting something back in return!
Image Credit: Chana Campora
If you want to get involved with the club, check out the AUP K'antu Facebook page for announcements.
