Project Launch:

The local artisan association in Higuerito specializes in making and selling faceless clay dolls, which represent the mixing and unity of all of the people in the Dominican Republic, and Duncan model improved cookstoves, meant to support improved health in households throughout the Dominican Republic. This project will increase the capacity of the artisan association by making improvements to their workspace, Specifically, they will improve the façade and front of their building so that they can better display their ceramic dolls, and they will improve the workshop so that they can better protect their cookstove raw materials. The grant will also support the group to train more local masons to increase their cookstove labor supply, and to train women leaders for the association.

Project Update

The facade reconstruction is complete and was ready just in time for the association's annual artisan festival, which featured 30 local artisans and reported over 500 attendees. Due to tropical storms, the stove mason trainings were delayed, but will begin at the end of 2015.

Testimonials

"I am looking forward to learning how to be a mason. Now, I will have another skill set so that I can generate income." - Project Participant