Our Mission

Our mission is to foster each artisan in such a way that they can continue to grow and thrive within our team over the long-term while maximizing their earning potential. 

In order to do this, we are committed to offering fair labor practices which means:

• We are transparent with our team members about our policies and expectations. 
• Our artisans work from their homes allowing them the flexibility to care for their children simultaneously and tend to other responsibilities that they may have. 
• They create their own work schedule and dictate how much time they can dedicate to the craft. 
• Our artisans are able to earn a living wage in Colombia. 
• They are paid on a regular schedule that gives them a sense of stability and predictability, which is important for them to maintain a consistent financial contribution to their household.

Our Artisans

Many of our artisans come from the indigenous Embera community in the Choco region of Colombia. This community lives in the remote jungles near the Pacific coast and has historically suffered numerous challenges, most notably being caught in the cross hairs of Colombia's internal conflict. They have faced lack of health care, education and economic opportunities as well as violence.  These challenges have led to large numbers of Embera people migrating to Colombia's largest cities including Medellin. However, few opportunities await them when they become displaced. Many end up living in substandard housing or on the street, and their families become even more vulnerable to hardship.

Other Mayana artisans are single mothers living in communities in Medellin that have been traditionally plagued by violence, lack of work opportunities, and poverty. These women are resilient and committed to supporting their families, but, often due to limited education and employment opportunities combined with the challenges of being the sole provider for their family, have few chances to find stable and respectable income streams.

Training

Although some of our team members had previous bead weaving experience, particularly our artisans from the Embera community, we are dedicated to offering training to those who show interest but have never once touched or seen a Miyuki bead. Our founder Emily dedicates time to teaching them basic skills and then, as they develop those skills, they are given their first pieces of real work.

As Mayana grows, the hope is that we can expand our ability to provide much-needed income to vulnerable women and their families.