Author Archives: Minkha

About Minkha

MINKHA is a true sustainable development success story that was initiated by Save the Children Canada. From its beginning 18 years ago, the women have established a viable cooperative that has afforded them a means of providing for their children and their extended families. We support them 100%! We are totally NON PROFIT, and all the funds from our sales are returned to the knitters. You will not only love your sweater, you will be helping us make a difference for some very important people in Bolivia! Since the early 1990?s, a small group of Quechua and Aymara women were organized by Save the Children – Bolivia into a co-operative knitting group. These women hand knit beautiful alpaca sweaters that are sold in North America. All profits are returned to the Bolivian women throught the efforts of Canadian volunteers. These women were desperate to earn a living to support and care for their extended families. It is customary to have an extended family that may include parents, grandparents and other relatives, as well as children. In many cases a woman is the sole income earner for her family. In addition to the financial rewards of the program, the women also enjoy a very positive social experience. They thrive on the customer feedback they receive for the superior quality of their knitting. The quality of life for these women and their families has improved significantly because of MINKHA. The number of share-holding knitters has tripled: now Artesanias Minkha essentially sustains 45 families. In 2004, the Cochabamba Chamber of Commerce honoured Artesanias Minkha with a plaque celebrating 15 years of business success… this is surely a first for native women.

Calgary Herald Neighbours Article on Minkha!

A BIG Thanks to Annalise Klingbeil, who wrote an excellent article in The Herald’s Neighbours section about Minkha Sweaters. We now hope the success of the article will lead people to our Highwood Luthern Church Sale this Saturday (April 21, … Continue reading

Posted in Bolivia News, Bolivian Culture, Bolivian People, Marketing and Promotions, Minkha Events, Minkha News, Minkha Volunteer | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

AGM

Minkha Calgary had a great first meeting of 2012. Seventeen volunteers showed up to contribute time, experience and direction for the organization. A BIG thankyou for everyone who came!

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Native sounds of Bolivia

A live performance by Los Kjarkas in Cochabamba, reveals the native cultural sounds many Bolivians enjoy and aspire to.

Posted in Bolivian Culture, Bolivian Dance, Bolivian People, Faces of Bolivia, Travel in Bolivia | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Developing New Skills

In 2010, Minkha Chairman and Photographer, Ellis Bartkiewicz, travelled to Cochabamba Bolivia with Mary Schoeder, to meet and work with some of our knitters. While there, Ellis captured many images including this, a young assistant developing valuable new skills.

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Support from WISE Volunteer Fair

Minkha table display at the WISE Volunteer Fair at UofC (Women in Science and Engineering). Lots of great vendors here. It’s was good to be involved. Thanks to everyone who signed up as volunteers to support us!

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Calgary’s Public Art Project Warmed Up!

Ex Calgarian and visual artist, Jill Anholt has used her incredible talents to build a new street art project at the Telus Convention Centre C-Train Station. Jill’s work investigates qualities of time, movement, light and materiality. We love it!… they … Continue reading

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Minkha’s Archived News Articles

Since 1990, dedicated Minkha volunteers have helped Bolivian knitters find new sales opportunities in Canada. We have now collected some of the Archived News Items from the past for you to see.

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Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentine’s Day from everyone at Minkha Sweaters!! It was not long time ago that the culture of celebrating Valentine’s Day in Bolivia began do to the migration of numerous American families in the late 1990s. Previous to this, South … Continue reading

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Spring Sale

Here is the new poster for the next Minkha Sweater Sale. We have celebrated Valentine’s Day by adding a few hearts.

Posted in Bolivian Love, Bolivian People, Faces of Bolivia, Marketing and Promotions, Minkha Events, Minkha News, Minkha Volunteer, Modelling, Travel in Bolivia | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Feb 9 is National Sweater Day!

With National Sweater Day coming, WWF is calling on Canadians to turn down the thermostat and put on a sweater for the day to show their commitment to the environment. Across the country, Canadians can participate in a variety of … Continue reading

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