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Anita Contreras sets the first Christmas in three regions of Peru. Working in ceramic, she creates diminutive nativity scenes. The Holy Family appears in an Ayacucho church, in a straw canoe on Lake Titicaca, and is seen housed in a traditional retablo, each painted by hand.
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Daily life is a struggle for Anita. She cannot afford to leave her husband. She works hard - dreaming of the day she can leave the torment and the verbal abuse behind her. She dreams of being able to move to her own place with her children.
Anita comes from Quinua, a town in Ayacucho famous for its traditional pottery known as Quinua Ceramics. Her grandfather was a master ceramist but Anita received most of her training at a workshop in Lima. Over time the distinctive form of this traditional ceramic art has evolved to include molding. Many of Anita's pieces are made with her own molds. She credits her perfectionism and determination to learn something everyday with letting her master this art.
From childhood, Anita has confronted sexism. Her domineering father did not want her educated and berated her by constantly telling her that to write her name was enough for a woman. Forced to marry a man she didn't love she has endured his machismo for years. He belittles her ceramics and taunts her sense of empowerment. In spite of this she maintains her workshop and is determined to move on.
Every purchase brings Anita one step closer to her independence. Her Novica sales renew her faith in her convictions that she is on the right path. She never loses sight of her goal to move to her own place and to better provide for her family.
Even though two of her children are grown, Anita continues to pay for their studies. Her eldest daughter has a son and Anita is helping to raise him.
Anita has dealt with adversity and an abusive husband while struggling to provide for her four children and one grandchild.
The Women's Empowerment badge is awarded to female artisans or artisan groups that are led by women.
"I liked ceramics and was curious about how they were crafted. I was born in an artisan village, so how could I not love this art?"
