Economic Development

Building of Weaving Shelters

CTTC’s communities have been a special project since the founding of ATA in 1996. ATA’s grants funded the building of weaving shelters in six communities in the valley of Cusco. The adobe-walled structures with roofs and sanitary facilities, were crucial to the early success of CTTC: they provided a community center where weavers from outlying areas came together on a regular basis to learn, work, and give support to one another, protected from the elements. Each association governs its cooperative collectively and elects its own leadership to manage finances and decision-making. This structure encourages weavers to develop managerial and marketing skills.

Read about the newest community, Huacatinco, in our blog.

  • Thanks to a generous ATA donor, the entrance to the CTTC weaving community in Accha Alta undergoes improvement.

    Thanks to a generous ATA donor, the entrance to the CTTC weaving community in Accha Alta undergoes improvement.

  • The Huacatinco weaving shelter under construction.

Fundraising Efforts for CTTC’s Cusco Building

ATA began a Capital Campaign in 2002 with the goal of raising $500,000. Through the generosity of many donors, those funds made possible the purchase of a building in downtown Cusco, Peru. This textile center houses a retail shop selling the weavers’ textiles, administrative offices, an educational center, permanent collections, oral history and photo archives, weavers dormitories for visiting weavers, and a museum exhibit. To the great pride of the weavers and their families, the center and museum was formally dedicated in July 2005. Tourists and locals visit the shop and museum to learn about the rich heritage of Andean textiles, observe weavers as they work, and purchase exquisite textiles.

  • The CTTC building in Cusco, Peru.

  • The CTTC building in Cusco, Peru.

Work Study

ATA provides work-study opportunities aimed at developing leadership, business education, and language skills among the CTTC staff in Cusco. One of our primary efforts taps into the expertise of North American volunteers and interns and brings them to Peru to help CTTC with business planning, product development, event organization, and education programs. We’ve also sponsored young CTTC staff for six-month extended work-study visits to the United States and Canada. These young women, native Quechua speakers and traditional weavers, study English, lecture on Andean textiles and the CTTC project, and lead many textile workshops and demonstrations during their stays.

  • Sarah Lyon and Diana Hendrickson teaching a “Textiles of Peru” class to young weavers.

  • Emily Deluca, one of our 2015 volunteers.