Founded the Women’s Empowerment Programme (MAP) for Abriendo Mentes. I fundraised for and started a social enterprise in which women of the community made upcycled bags for sale at local hotels. They received the income directly and we designed a holistic set of activities and trainings, provided pro bono by local companies, to address their main needs: recreation, employment, education and health. Working together they built bonds and confidence.

Playa Potrero is a small, coastal village home to both Costa Ricans and a large number of Nicaraguan immigrants, who make up approximately 40% of the community. It’s a place faced with challenges of poverty, access to education and reliance on irregular economic activities such as tourism. Many women in Potrero are hardworking people who overcome adversity to support their families.

Between 2012-13, I worked with Abriendo Mentes, a local NGO, to start a Women’s Empowerment Programme in Potrero. We designed a programme that aimed to tackle the main needs for the wellbeing of the women in the community: recreation, employment, education and health. I then crowdfunded to start a women-led social business and make it a reality. The women made handbags of upcycled materials to sell at hotel boutiques in the area and fulfilled orders for traditional costumes, school uniforms and local events. Women were able to work from home and meet up twice a week to work together and and build a network of support, strengthening links between them while building their own confidence. The income generated through sales went directly to the participants and their families.

In addition, we developed a holistic program for the women which covered important areas such as:

• Skills training including sewing, pattern making, english, finance and beauty therapy

• Sports and wellbeing including Zumba, yoga classes and self defense courses

• Learning sessions with experts such as nutritionists and health experts

• ‘Compartiendo talentos’: short sessions led by the women to share their knowledge and their talent such as gardening, cooking and embroidery.

This project motivated me to continue working with social enterprises and makers.