Ruraq Maki

Currently, Ruraq Maki operates the Yanamilla Prison Project, which serves incarcerated women in the small Andean city of Ayacucho, Peru. The first, and immediate, goal of the project is to help the women generate income while incarcerated by purchasing goods directly from the women at fair trade prices. We work with the women to develop new products using traditional materials and establish a stable market for their goods in the United States.

Ruraq Maki supports the women as artisans by providing free educational workshops aimed at helping them acquire new skills they can use to generate income. Currently we offer a basic and advanced jewelry making class in the prison and in 2012 we introduced week-long leather working intensives taught by a local Peruvian leather worker. All materials and costs are paid for by Ruraq Maki.

Ruraq Maki firmly believes in acting as a facilitator for communities rather than imposing Western "solutions" on community needs. We are committed to collective decision making within communities and structure our programs based on solutions generated by the community.

Ruraq Maki is a tax-exempt non-profit under the 501(c)3 guidelines.