Astillero Women’s Collective

Photos: Timothy Nathan

Location: Astillero, Nicaragua

Overview:

El Astillero Women's Collective, a dynamic alliance between Rockflower and Casa Congo, embodies the synergy of cultural and environmental conservation through the empowerment of women. At the core of this partnership is the Women's Collective, which operates as a catalyst for economic empowerment and a beacon for sustainable living practices in Astillero, Nicaragua.

Purpose:

The Women's Collective is the building of a movement, striving to equip local women with the skills and confidence necessary to enhance their livelihoods. Educational workshops on financial literacy, agro-ecological farming techniques, micro gardening, and bamboo carpentry are just a few of the transformative experiences offered through the Collective at Casa Congo. The central aim is to nurture this space where women can converge, exchange ideas, and germinate the seeds of collective economic empowerment.

Phases of Growth:

The Collective began by recognizing the foundational group known as Las Tejedoras ("The Weavers"), 21 pioneering women who have revolutionized the concept of recycling and enterprise since 2007. From repurposing over 400,000 plastic bags into beautiful, sustainable products Las Tejedoras have become a force of positive change within their community. By investing in the future growth of this group, Rockflower has been able to support their visions of becoming economically independent.

Making Strides in Agroecology:

Las Flores leads Casa Congo’s Centre of Agroecology, an experimental hub focusing on agroecology and ecological restoration. Their remarkable achievements include:

Planting 13,107 trees in partnership with INAFOR and MARENA.
Creating 20 community gardens featuring circular water systems.
Completing 3 scientific research projects.
Managing a seed bank with 70 - 80 different seed types.
Providing income and ecosystem services to 12 local women.
Engaging over 200 community members in educational workshops.

These efforts demonstrate a successful blend of traditional knowledge and innovative agricultural practices, contributing significantly to local ecological and economic resilience.

Tejedoras standing in front of the completed upgrade of their Smoothie Bar.

Recent Achievements:

Las Tejedoras have significantly advanced Casa Congo's mission by championing environmental stewardship and community integration. Their exceptional work has recently been honored with the prestigious SDC Award for Sustainability in the office workplace sector, recognizing their creation of workplace tapestries from recycled materials.

The 5-Step Process:

The Collective's commitment to sustainability is evident in Las Tejedoras' meticulous 5-step process of transforming plastic waste into woven art:

Collection: Everyday Las Tejedoras and Casa Congo students collect plastic bags from the beach, the jungle, outside shops and in the streets.
Preparation: Once sorted by color and type, all the bags are carefully washed and sun-dried, to eliminate dirt and saline residues.
Stripping: Once completely dried, the bags are cut into thin strips using scissors.
Producing Threads: Strips are later intertwined into a 2mm thick strong flexible yarn.
Knitting: The resulting 100% recycled plastic yarn is then knitted together by the expert hands of Las Tejedoras to become functional and colorful objects for everyday use.

Evolving Craftsmanship and Global Reach:

Through support from the Unispace design firm, Las Tejedoras are expanding their horizons, preparing to showcase their designs on a global platform. This endeavor, supported by additional funding from Rockflower, is projected to double their income and significantly reduce plastic pollution.

The Collective's success is deeply rooted in the synergy of Las Tejedoras and Las Flores, another local women's group, which together form the backbone of the Women's Collective. By reinvesting profits into educational programs at Casa Congo, Las Tejedoras are securing a brighter future for their children and their community.

Project Partner: