Mercado Global is a mission-based collection of ceramics and pillows produced by artisan, rural women, offering them the opportunity to turn their indigenous skills into income, therein breaking the cycle of poverty within their community.
Visiting from Guatemala, Barbara Quieju, Business Skills & Asset Development Program Coordinator for Mercado Global, explained the symbolism within their hand-crafted goods.
“The black and the white are for coming into the light out of dark.
The purple is for hope.
The red is for the blood of our ancestors who we’ve lost.
The colors are our culture.”
We warmly welcomed Ruth DeGolia, co-founder of Mercado Global, along with Barbara, who share our mission, as we learned more about the creative process behind their design, the volunteer opportunities they offer, and how their vision has blossomed.
Mercado Global began in 2004, when Ruth was studying at Yale, with her partner Benita Singh. They made a creative commitment to address the debilitating poverty they had witness in Latin America by raising the standard of living in these communities.
Focusing on the cause and working from the ground up, Mercado Global has been able to provide financial security, education, exposure to international markets, and expand to other Latin American communities with marginalized populations in need.
Today, these artisans are rising to become leaders in their communities and inspiring global positive change through their success.
Visit us in-store to learn more about Mercado Global and explore their design creations here.
-shari monique gab
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