Marcelino Joayza, Ceramicist

Manos Amigas is a fair trade organization that works with small artisan organizations throughout Peru. By supporting artisans through training and finding markets for their products, they help to preserve the variety of handcraft traditions of Peru. Manos Amigas, which means "hands of friendship", gives twenty percent of its profits of help fund social welfare projects, like school scholarships, uniforms, and a feeding program for poor children. They work with 6 artisan associations and 70 family workshops in the Lima area and outlying rural villages. Artisans affiliated with Manos Amigas benefit from advances on their orders, technical assistance, help with new product design and training in areas such as administration, accounting, and production.

SERRV has worked with Manos Amigas since 1992, purchasing nativities, gourd products, jewelry, wind chimes, ceramics, and musical instruments.