"Textiles Project - Quality Control Person"
Threads of Peru (TOP) is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization (ngo) registered in Cusco, Peru. The founding members represent the countries of Canada, Australia, and Peru. TOP has been created to educate the world about the unique beauty and cultural significance of the Andean people and their textile traditions. Through the web, community tours, and international sales, we connect indigenous Andean weavers of Peru to a global market; contributing to the survival of this art form and to the health and well-being of the people that sustain it.
Threads of Peru works with indigenous women weavers in the remote communities of Rumira Sondormayo, Chaullacocha, and Chupani.
http://www.threadsofperu.com/weaving-culture/communities/
"Textiles Project - Quality Control Person"
This position is for someone with experience, interest or expertise in textiles and/or fashion. A quality control person will assist the TOP textiles project by working closely with indigenous women weavers to ensure their product details are considered (such as, trimming off loose threads, making sure fringes are finished, making sure products are washed / dried properly - that all product details required for retail orders are considered and items are ready to be tagged and shipped). You will be in charge of making sure women have proper tools, such as scissors, needle & thread, and you will show them how to use tools they are not familiar with.
If you have experience in fashion design, you may be able to assist the women in the design of products and finishing techniques of things such as bags, wallets, belts, etc. - working closely with the local weaving workshop teacher and the presidents of the 3 weaving associations.
* We recommend that you stay for at least 1 month (preferably more), but we can arrange a placement for 2 - 3 weeks (no less). Must be able to speak Spanish, and you will be working with Quechua translators as most of the women only speak this language. You will be based in Cusco and TOP can assist you in finding accommodations - you will also be required to stay / camp in remote villages in cold basic conditions.
If you are interested in any of our volunteer positions please contact Ariana Svenson at
ariana@threadsofperu.com to discuss which position you are interested in. If the position is open, you will be given an application form, which you will fill out online and sumbit for approval.
Volunteer cost:
Threads of Peru charges a fee of $50 per week for most volunteer placements. NOTE: This fee does not include accommodations & living expenses - please refer to our website for detailed information on expenses.
http://www.threadsofperu.com/get-involved/volunteer/
Please contact us about group rates. While we realize that you will be contributing your time and knowledge, we are a small organization, and it takes people, time, and effort to provide you with amble and valuable support for your volunteer position.
In exchange for this fee we will provide:
- Airport pickup (if required)
- Initial meeting with Director of Threads of Peru designed to give an overview of company, projects, and briefing on cultural norms in Peru.
- Volunteer Information package on arrival.
- Assistance in locating appropriate accommodation.
- Assistance in locating discounted Spanish classes.
- All costs covered in regards to making field trips with ToP.
- Personalised reference.
- 1-2 weekly meetings with the appropriate staff, to discuss the direction of your project.
Volunteer types:
In all cases, we are looking for self directed, independent volunteers who will be comfortable working unsupervised and only partially directed in a foreign environment. As each of the positions includes visits to remote communities, you should have reasonable physical fitness and be prepared to camp (or stay in people's very basic houses) at high altitude, in cold and harsh conditions.
Note: If you have an idea for a volunteer placement, project or study please contact us with a proposal. If your project proposal is in line with our goals, we'll gladly organize your efforts.
