Handmade can have many meanings. The most common interpretation would be a product that was made by an individual, not by a mass-producing machine. Though I believe this definition to be accurate, I’ve discovered through my work in Nicaragua that handmade can dig much deeper than this widely shared definition.

Both potters in the US and potters in Nicaragua create handmade works of art, but the way they go about the handmade process differs greatly. Ask a potter in the US about their producing equipment, and you’ll likely hear about a fancy electric turning wheel, rubber ribs, sponges, carving tools, glazes in a variety of hues, and an effortless electric kiln. Ask a potter in Nicaragua the same question and the answer is quite different. In fact, you might even question your Spanish skills when their response seems to answer the question, “What did you find hiding under the workbench when cleaning the garage?”

Bicycle spokes, bent metal forks, dried up ink pens, scraps of wood, old plastic, bricks, and small stones are treasured items for potters in San Juan de Oriente. They are their tools. Tools that have been created out of imagination, necessity and lack of access to formal tools. They can’t go to the art store down the street to buy a brand new package of top-of-the-line carving tools – both because they can’t afford them, and because they simply aren’t available. So they create their own tools. With a toolbox of impressive resourcefulness, our potters in Nicaragua have redefined the concept of ‘handmade’ in which the materials, tools, and products themselves are made by hand using renewable resources and recycled household objects. Here’s a glimpse into a Chaka artisan’s handmade process…

Jose Guerrero walks across his community to a small plot of land he owns. He then digs clay from the ground and carries it on his shoulder back to his home. There, the clay is processed by hand – gravel and impurities are removed and sand is added one handful at a time to make certain that the clay is an appropriate consistency. Jose then turns a portion of clay on his wheel and begins to form the shape envisioned in his head. He uses straight edged scraps of wood, pieces of rags, and a bucket of water to smooth and refine the edges – all while kicking his foot to spin his non-electric wheel into motion. After drying for a short period of time, Jose returns to the piece to begin the decorating process. He paints his glazes of choice onto the pot using a non-traditional paintbrush he has created from an old ink pen (the handle) and a portion of his wife’s hair (the brush). When the glaze is dry, he burnishes the piece with a hard piece of plastic or a smooth, tumbled stone he found along the ocean shoreline to create a finished look. Next, he carves one of the many intricate designs locked away in his memory. To carve, he takes a bicycle spoke or the point of a pen and gently removes unwanted clay. To create texture, he often uses the prongs of a metal fork. The piece is left to dry for a period of time that varies depending on the season and weather. To fire his artwork, Jose fills the wood-fired brick kiln that he built in his backyard. Pieces are left to burn in the kiln for 10 hours, usually over night. But just because it’s nighttime doesn’t mean Jose is sleeping. He must stay up to monitor the firing, add more wood, and ensure that the temperature is just right. After cooling for several hours, the pieces are removed and the multi-step process is almost complete. Finally, Jose will add a shiny finish to each piece using a dab of shoe polish, a rag, and a lot of elbow grease. Three to four weeks after the clay was first excavated, the product is complete. It doesn’t get much more handmade than that!

So the next time you sit down to enjoy your Chaka pottery from San Juan de Oriente, take a minute to appreciate the level of handmade that went into it – the time, the tools, the materials, the patience, and the care. 

Chaka MarketBridge Brings New Dedication to Quality and Relationship to Fair Trade Federation

Virginia-based company connects Nicaraguan artisans with US buyers, aims to create high-quality products and lasting relationships

Williamsburg, VA (June 10, 2011) — Chaka MarketBridge, an online marketplace and wholesaler that connects consumers with artisans’ hand-made goods from the developing world, today announced their acceptance into the Fair Trade Federation (FTF).

“We’re very excited to join the Fair Trade Federation in the movement to connect opportunity for artisans in the developing world,” says Chaka president Neil Paine. “Since the beginning, we’ve been working to create a spot in the global marketplace for the best, undiscovered artisans in the developing world.  It’s great to be able to come alongside such a successful network striving towards this same goal.”

Started in 2009 by Paine and his co-founders, Chaka was created to connect the producers of hand-made goods with interested, but distant, buyers. Currently working with 41 artisans in Nicaragua, Chaka’s primary offerings are home décor items, including handmade ceramic pottery, handcarved wooden bowls and handcrafted ironwork. They also distribute completely handmade, designer leather purses, made by KUERO Nicaragua. (http://kueronicaragua.nicaragua-info.com/)

The company emphasizes personally-made goods for a variety of reasons—not only do buyers receive top-quality products, but they also have a more relational connection with the artisans. Rather than offering mass-produced items, Chaka hopes to redefine the common understanding of “handmade goods.” Each piece that Chaka sells is signed by the artist that created it, making each item a one-of-a-kind work of art. The personalized touch is also a means that Chaka uses to develop relational connections across international boundaries. To connect retail outlets and consumers to the producer of each piece, Chaka provides video interviews, pictures and detailed biographies.

This dedicated approach is part of what earned Chaka acceptance by the FTF, which (according to the list of its values on its website) only includes companies that share an emphasis on Consumer Knowledge, Respectful Partnerships, and Community.

Anyone interested in Chaka and its products is encouraged to check out the company’s Facebook page or buy online through their website, http://chakamarketbridge.com.

About Chaka MarketBridge:
Chaka, a registered Benefit Corporation (B Corp) founded in 2009, is a team of two University of Virginia graduates and three Virginia Tech graduates. Despite this collegiate rivalry, the five have come together to help connect people from around the world. “Chaka,” which means “bridge” in the Quechua language, is dedicated to providing greater access to beautiful artisan products, and the beautiful artisan people who create them.

###

Neil Paine, President

Chaka MarketBridge

877.852.8998

neil@chakamarketbridge.com

Two and a half months ago, Douglas was living in fear and angst and uncertainty. Today, after completing his order for Chaka, he has been able to provide for his wife and son all of the healthcare needed, and baby Neil is as healthy as can be. But that’s not all! We paid Douglas and his family a visit last week, and were blown away at what we found. In the picture above, Douglas stands inside of what will soon be his new home. With the money earned from our last order, not only did he pay hospital bills and healthcare fees, but was able to set just enough aside to build an extra room on the back of his mother’s house. A room that will serve as a home for himself, his wife, and their son. A foundation that will foster a better tomorrow.

As if Douglas’s encouraging story isn’t enough, we are blessed and excited to say that 2011 has been a year filled with positive change and significant advancement for many of our artisans. In less than two months, our artisans handcrafted nearly 2,000 products for Chaka, which were then shipped to Miami where we will be selling them at the Miami Home Design and Remodeling Show. For many of our artisans, this was a great accomplishment – an order that topped any they had previously received. Additionally, it was a great accomplishment for Chaka as it was by far our biggest shipment to date! Though an order of such magnitude requires countless hours of work, exhaustion, and dedication; the resulting outcome is unmatchable.

Since Christmas, two of our artisans - including Douglas - have become fathers to newborn babies and have been able to sufficiently pay for necessary healthcare. Three are building new homes. One will be re-enlisting in university classes in April. Several have made significant improvements and reparations to their houses. Many are able to better support the higher education of their children. And all are eager to continue working.

If you ask me, all of these things – both individually and collectively – are blocks that will continue to build a strong foundation in the lives of our artisans and in the future of their community. They are foundations that will protect their family in the form of shelter. Foundations that will ensure good healthcare in the earliest stages of life for their newborn children. Foundations in the form of education that will make them more competitive and successful. Foundations that catalyze courage, pride, knowledge and empowerment.  And the best part about these foundations: they can’t be taken away. The advancement occurring in the lives of these artisans is irreversible. No one can take Jacobo’s education away from him, or take the pride and joy experienced by Jose Guerrero’s family as they stand in their newly renovated home. No one can rob Douglas’s baby boy of the good health his parents were able to provide him in his first few months of life, and no one can shatter the confidence and sense of accomplishment felt by all. With constant support from friends, family and fans, Chaka MarketBridge is building foundations – foundations for a better tomorrow. Thanks for being a part of this life-changing movement!

From time to time, we have ‘this is why we do it’ moments, here in Nicaragua.  Some positive, some negative.  Last night, I had a negative one. 

I was driving across Managua to play basketball with some friends, and came to an intersection right before the South Highway.  There are always children beggars at this intersection – we’ve gotten used to that, unfortunately.  Last night there was a boy and a girl, and a mom nursing a new baby sitting beside the road.  When the light turned red and I stopped they were all sitting on the curb off to the left. 

The little boy, probably about 8 years old, had his head buried in his mom’s side, seemingly crying.  Then, his mom slapped him, and shoved him out into the street to go beg at each of the cars.

I guess I know that parents are what drive their kids to the streets, to beg for money.  But, this was a front row seat to how it happens, and it absolutely broke my heart.  We try not to give money to these kids, but instead we keep crackers in the glove box, and give them a snack.  When I handed the crackers out the window, the boy and girl started fighting over them, grabbing my hand at the same time.

As I drove away, I had one of those moments of putting it all together.  What has driven those kids to that street corner?  It was likely some combination of lack of birth control, a culture where women are taught to have children too early, an inadequate education system, lack of jobs or work for the mother, an irresponsible and absent father…  We’ve presented them before, but a few numbers were running through my head:

1. Unemployment is officially reported at 8% in Nicaragua.  But, the labor force is only stated at 2.3 million.  If there are a total of 3.8 million Nicaraguans between 14 and 65 (working age here), that means unemployment is really more like 44%.
2. Underemployment is reported at 46.5%.  Now, you probably can’t stack those numbers on top of each other and say that Un or under-employment is near 90%.  However, it’s not a pretty picture.

At Chaka, we believe that children should go to school, and play.  PERIOD.  And, the way to make that happen, as I was acutely reminded last night, is to give mom and dad a job that pays them an adequate wage.  That’s our vision for Chaka: that our artisans would take pride in their children’s ability to learn and play, knowing that they have fully provided for that child’s well being.

Luckily, we’re quick learners, and almost a year later, Chaka has grown by considerable leaps and bounds.  We’ve shipped almost four full rounds of inventory to the US.  We’ve expanded our product line to include woodwork, ceramics, coffee, leather accessories, and we’re on the brink of dabbling in furniture.  Our total artisan roster numbers upward of 40, and we have three full-time employees: two living in Nicaragua, and one living in Virginia. 

We’re still learning what it means to run a successful business, how to deal fairly with clients and customers, and why social impact is so important. Again, the quick learners thing comes into play, as does a healthy dose of humility, self-awareness, and good old-fashioned pick-yourself-up-dust-yourself-off-and-keep-on-running. The education we’re getting isn’t strictly a business school curriculum, but I think we’re all in agreement around the idea that we love learning as we go.  Or, to quote Sophocles, “One must learn by doing…for though you think you know it, you have no certainty until you try.” 

Not that we’ve reached any substantive level of certainty just yet, but that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate little glimpses of it along the way—instances of affirmation, if you will.  My favorite so far?

It may not look like much, but that is Jose Guerrero’s new house.  Well, the start of it, anyway.  We went to visit Jose in January 2011 and were thrilled to learn that, with the added income his partnership with Chaka has brought him, he’s been able to start construction on a brand new house, complete with walls, a roof, and a real door.  (In January 2010, when we first met Jose, his house was made up of sheets of plastic draped over precariously-framed tree branches.) Tangible impact.  And what we think of as doing actual good, making a real difference, in the life of another man and his family. 

Later that day we stopped in to visit with Fanor, Candida, and Leandro Lopez.  And were, once again, thrilled to be told that Leandro, too, was building a new house.  The foundation and substructure of which he proudly showed us, just a few meters down the road. 

We started Chaka with the goal of making a difference in people’s lives. People like Jose and Leandro—hard-working, talented individuals who were being held back by a lack of opportunity and a lack of access.  And, just a year in, we’re speechlessly humbled and wildly ecstatic to see tangible, real evidence of that difference.

We were still waiting, alongside Douglas Potosme.  Douglas graduated from university in May (one of very few of our artisans to do so).  He wants to teach history or social studies, but hasn’t been able to find work.  So, he is continuing as a potter.  On December 28^th, 2010, Douglas and his wife Erika had a baby.  With no income, Douglas worried how he would pay the bills and provide for the baby. 

He told us that he prayed and trusted that the Lord would provide.  A week before the baby was born, Douglas got a call: an order that was enough to pay the hospital bill!  Then, worried about how to provide for the baby’s basic needs, he prayed again.  That day, with no knowledge of the new baby, Chaka called, with our biggest order ever.

When, we met with Douglas on January 21^st, he told us this story, and introduced us to the baby – Douglas Neil Potosme Potosme.  In that instant, we realized just how blessed we are to be in the middle. 

We have the privilege of being the conduit for the impact that the Chaka family, the Chaka MarketBridge creates.  And, we want to share just a quick look of the fruits of your labor. 

In the last year, we focused our work on 11 potters.  Over the course of the last month, two have built new houses, one family added a workshop to their home, one is getting ready to put himself back into university.  And, one welcomed in new baby Neil.  That’s some worthwhile, tangible impact, in our book!

As we grow, hand-in-hand with our artisans, we can’t thank you enough for letting us be in the middle; you, the market that makes it all possible.

If I were to paraphrase: it’s easy, both Shane and Peter would say, to discuss theory and debate policy when it comes to helping others, but the most crucial part of loving your neighbor is actually taking action.  Action that is both necessary and messy.  There is nothing convenient, easy, or necessarily glamorous about caring for the poor, fighting against injustice, or loving others selflessly.  But it’s work worth doing, and, as Shane and Peter have modeled, it’s a calling worth dedicating your life toward. 

We’ve mentioned this before, but here at Chaka, we’re huge fans of HOPE International and the way that loving your neighbor is so intrinsically tied into their mission and vision.  And not just because they’re involved in microfinance, but because we really believe in their model for fighting poverty through providing opportunity.  It’s not just helping people; it’s helping people help themselves.  Instead of standing by the banks of a river, pulling drowning people of the water, it’s equipping the people to build fences and teaching the kids to swim so they can play and not drown.  (Peter’s analogy, not mine.)  It’s empowering others to realize their own potential, and ensuring them the access to opportunity that can spur them toward success.

Loving you neighbor doesn’t have to mean selling all you have and giving everything to the poor.  It can.  Shane’s life is an example of that.  Loving your neighbor also doesn’t have to mean dedicating your life to international development and living and working amongst the poorest of the world’s poor.  It can, and Peter’s life is an example.  But it needn’t be so drastic.  At the heart of it, loving your neighbor is less about you and more about your neighbor.  It’s living in a way that strives for the flourishing of others.  

But, the real key to progress, to sustainable development, lies in developing a truly valuable skill.  Too many times we run into people who have labored to develop a skill that is not valuable in the market.  For one reason or another, they’ve dedicated themselves to making something for which there is no market.  Whether they are doing this as a microentrepreneur, or as a worker in a SME, their skill is not valuable.

However, many of these people are indeed thirsty: thirsty for someone to tell them what to make that will be valuable.  We recently went to a community called Tipitapa to invite a group of women to learn to sew high-quality handbags.  Currently, their only source of income comes from selling fabric remnants which they’ve adorned with simple hearts or birds.  To do this, they’ll need sewing machines, which we’re going to help them finance.

But, most importantly they’ll need training, to learn a truly valuable skill.  Training which Ana Alexandra Velasquez, the master designer behind Kuero, has agreed to provide!  Once these women have learned this skill, they’ll have a steady source of income, and a valuable trade to pass down through their families, and to spread throughout their communities.  More than a loan, or a job, a valuable skill is a sustainable means to development.  Though the market may change, or specific businesses may fail, they’ll be armed with an expert craft – providing them with the economic insurance to withstand bad or changing markets, and to loosen the grip of poverty.

I guess when I say “brought together,” what I really mean is “hosted a conversation in the same room.”  It’s not as if these men, or the organizations they lead, are disparate and in need of some sort of reconciliation.  Both men work tirelessly to love others, and, specifically, to love those less fortunate than they.  It’s really quite inspiring, and I was privileged to be in attendance. 

The evening was structured like a debate, with each “side” offering an opening “statement,” and then a moderator asked questions and encouraged audience participation.  During his opening ‘monologue,’ if you will, Shane talked a bit about the notion of solutions to poverty.  And how initiatives like his Simple Way community, or, in his example, collective health care co-ops, are sometimes described as the “silver bullet;” a sure-fire way to end poverty or injustice.  A label to which Shane responded by saying, “I don’t know about a silver bullet, but I’d sure like to think of it as part of the silver buckshot.”  A comically appropriate analogy, since Shane grew up in the woods of East Tennessee, but also a very salient one.  Shane’s point was that there isn’t just one solution, just one idea or one institution, that is destined to end the struggles against poverty or injustice.  Rather, it’s a collection of ideas—a collection of people, really—that come together toward a common goal.  The silver buckshot illustration came up several more times throughout the event, as both Shane and Peter talked about different ways they’ve witnessed people loving their neighbor.

I couldn’t help but think of the work we are doing at Chaka as being a small part of this buckshot.  One small piece of a wide-ranging movement, motivated by love, and determined to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate.  The work that you, too, are a part of, as you support us.  It’s really exciting to be involved in the same sort of mission as leaders like Shane and Peter, and it is all the more affirming, hearing stories of all the good that is being done in the knowledge of all the work that there is still yet to do.

But, the realities, the causes and effects, of broken markets really lie outside of those studies.  Broken down to its simplest level, community development relies on the creation of a good or service that someone wants, and then the ability to get that good or service to them.  The concept is simple:  make something good, get it to someone outside of your community, and bring in money in return.  But, this all depends on the ability to get something to market.  And, therein lays the broken market link in Nicaragua.

To dig into this broken link, requires understanding exactly what it takes to export something.  Forget the government licenses (which take thousands of dollars and 2-8 months to get).  Forget the local transportation.  Forget the difficulty of costing and quality control.  Forget the expertise that actually goes into making the product itself.

Let’s talk about boxes.  Cardboard boxes.  If you’re going to export something, no matter the quantity, you need boxes.  And packing supplies, and tape.  Here in Nicaragua, boxes are incredibly hard to find.  Although some stores supposedly carry boxes, they tend to be out of them for weeks.  And after spending 6.5 hours crisscrossing the capital city, when you finally find the actual box factory, they only have 7 boxes that they will sell you.  And you might as well forget packing supplies.  An 18 inch diameter roll of bubble wrap costs $35 (compare that to a 4 foot diameter roll at $9 in the US).  And, packing tape?  Forget it.  The tape here is fairly weak and not sticky enough to securely shut a box.

And then you’ve got to ship it.  Shipping arrangements take months to negotiate, and are frequently filled with nothing but misinformation.  (Anyone who is working on a first importation into the US, my biggest suggestion is to call the CBP desk at the port of entry and just ask a bunch of questions).

With the world-class pottery and other artisanal goods that we’re finding down here we often wondered why they haven’t already been discovered.  I think this is our answer:  that the devil is in the details.  That in this international business, economic development means knowing where and how to get boxes. How to negotiate informed shipping arrangements.  And how to optimize it all into a ‘supply chain’ in the face of a broken market.

Earlier this week Neil and I met with a Nicaraguan woman named Ana Alexandra who is a gifted designer, among other things. She works in leather, carefully crafting some of the most beautiful handmade hand bags I have ever seen. She calls her brand “Kuero”, playing off of the Spanish word for leather, which is cuero.  A self taught leather worker of 5 years, Ana Alexandra has taken it upon herself to share her skills with young men and women both to improve their lives and to promote her brand. In her small workshop you’ll find Ana Alexandra teaching this trade to her mentees with great care, trust, and respect.

Unsolicited, Ana Alexandra told to us her dreams and vision for the future of her shop. She expressed great desire to open a trade school where people can come and learn the art of working with leather; a place where she can design new products and see them come to life through her students; a place where people can learn an income-earning skill that will allow them a steady income; a place that breeds pride, encouragement and responsibility. Pride in the ability to make something beautiful. Encouragement in the achievement of learning a useful skill. Responsibility for creating quality products that will allow them to provide for their families.

At the sound of this, Neil and I both smiled. Over the last couple of weeks there has been a lot of discussion within Chaka about our vision to create a workspace for our artisans – a place with pottery wheels, sewing machines, wood working tools, and all of the necessary materials where they can come together to share ideas, learn new designs, and make beautiful things. A place where we can bring designers from around the world to run workshops that will inspire and encourage our artisans to explore new techniques and expand beyond their current product designs. A place where we can teach classes about costing, saving, marketing, or whatever else our artisans may be interested in.  We believe this would create a great opportunity for community, growth, learning, and progress for our artisans both individually and as a group.

There is hope and potential for us to create a place of this type alongside people like Ana Alexandra and others who share our vision of teaching useful skills to people who desire to learn so they can create beautiful things that will help them provide for their family.

As we’ve said from the beginning and we’ll say a thousand times over, we strive to bring opportunity to the talented and driven artisans of Nicaragua who currently lack resources: opportunity to learn new skills or improve on existing skills, opportunity to sell their products to a global marketplace, and an opportunity to bring hope to their families through income that will provide food, shelter, education, and dignity.

We hope to continue to encounter enthusiastic individuals who share our dreams and visions so that, together, we can creates something beautiful.

Coffee planting/farming/harvesting/roasting/brewing/enjoying has been around for a long time.  Central America has played an integral role in providing a large percentage of all the coffee consumed by the world, with six countries chiefly responsible for its production: Guatemala, Panama, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua.  And five of those countries are listed among the top 20 coffee-producing countries in the world (Panama being the only one that doesn't make the list).  In 2007, Nicaragua produced over 90,000 tons of coffee, and Costa Rica close to 125,000 tons.

One of the distinguishing factors in today's coffee market is the 'shade-grown' aspect.  Coffee was traditionally grown under the shade of other trees, forest canopies that served as a natural home for other wildlife.  In the mid-70s, many farmers switched from this 'shaded' method to sun-cultivation.  As the name suggests, the plants are grown out in the open, with no tree cover.  This causes the coffee to ripen faster, and increases the overall coffee production.  However, this process has also led to increased deforestation, requiring the clearing of trees and an increase in the use of environmentally-damaging fertilizer and pesticides.  

'Shade-grown' coffee, then, is coffee grown under other trees, a considerably more sustainable practice, limiting the use of pesticides and other pollutants, providing a natural habitat for other plants and animals, and eliminating the need for deforestation.  In addition, traditional shade-grown coffee production causes the coffee to ripen more slowly, increasing the coffee's natural sugars and enhancing its flavor.  Environmentally-sustainable farming, responsible production, and a more delicious cup of coffee.  A pretty easy model to root for.  

There's a lot that goes on between the farmer planting the coffee seeds in the ground and you sipping on a cup on your way out the door.  From the planting and cultivating, to harvesting and sorting, to roasting and packaging, we want to ensure that the coffee we deliver to you is fresh, organic, sustainable, and, above all else, impactful.  In the coming days we'll have more here and on our main page about Chaka's new coffee partnerships: the farmers and the roasters we're working with.  

The hospitality in this country is simply unmatched. People welcome you into their homes with open arms. Our artisans are no exception. Each one greets us with a hug, smile or handshake and excitedly catches us up on what they’ve been working on. Often times, when they know we are coming, they will put out a display of their newest creations for us to see.  They take great pride in their artwork. And this pride is fully warranted, as they make beautiful products that truly are works of art.  On this round of visits we were able to see the products we ordered at all stages of the process. In San Juan de Oriente, many of our artisans’ shops were filled with raw, drying pottery in familiar shapes and sizes – those which we had ordered!

Candida Cano shows us one of the vases she is making for Chaka.

Duilio Jimenez proudly shows us one of his newest creations.

This is the kiln that is in Duilio's taller, or workshop

José Gutierrez made us mugs with the Chaka Logo!

Visiting José Gutierrez in his home.

Carolina, Jose Guerrero's wife, shows me the different glazes they use for their pottery. The black & blue glazes are the most expensive because they must be imported from the United States. The other colors are natural and most come from the ground.

Jose Guerrero standing outside his home next to his drying pottery.

On Wednesday we went to El Herrero – a vocational school for blacksmiths. We work with a few of the guys from El Herrero, and are always fascinated when we visit them. They are working on an order of letter openers for Chaka made from railroad spikes. They are truly incredible – unique, handmade, and carefully crafted. Check out a few pictures from El Herrero:

The railroad spike (above) is slowly and carefully molded and shaped into a letter opener (below).

Ivan & Salamón hard at work on the letter openers.

It’s been a blast seeing our artisans in action – doing what they truly love to do – their livelihoods, their passions, their hobbies, their artwork. Keep an eye out for all of these great products that, once completed in a few weeks, will be posted in our marketplace! It’s never too early to start your holiday shopping!!

This is, obviously, an over-simplified explanation.  Mostly because the term "solution" remains undefined.  What stands as a "solution" in the United States may be quite far from that in Central America.  The environment is different.  The culture is different.  And, despite one's best efforts, a lot of harm can be done in the name of "doing good."  

This is a serious issue, and one that needs to remain at the forefront of our motivations as we grow Chaka, not just from the perspective of our Barrio Fund, but our business model as a whole.  Is the service we are providing helpful to the communities we're involved with?  Are we really impacting the lives of the families in the ways we claim?  Are we doing real good?  Frankly, the audacity of the questioning leads me to believe our intentions are in the right place.

Our goal, I think (and I may be biased), is both a noble and a good one: we want to empower people to lift themselves out of poverty.  But the crux of the questioning this entry means to introduce examines not only the ends, but the means to achieving that goal.  We want to care for and about the individuals, families, and communities we involve ourselves with.  A large part of Kristen's job is dedicated solely to that.  Neil re-posted a blog article last week that deals with the issue and definition of poverty.  That it's more than just economic figures.  If you haven't had the chance, I urge you to read it because I think it starts to unlock some of the answers we're searching for.

As we look to hone our vision and develop our model, this question of doing good is of great importance.  And we'd love to dialogue it with you.  Leave comments or share stories:  What are some examples of companies that have succeeded at doing good?  And what are some examples of companies that have failed?  Is poverty really multifaceted?  If so, do you prioritize those facets?  What, to you, is the most important consideration in developing communities and empowering people to reach their potential?  Share what you think.  Help us hone our vision as we continue to seek the flourishing of the artisans we work with.

I often think just how the world could be if every woman and every child was given equal opportunities, encouraged to follow their dreams, set goals, and live a life that demonstrates their true potential. Women make up half of the world’s population, they "hold up half the sky", and in places where they are not allowed to hold up their half of the sky, it simply crumbles down causing poverty, inequality, a lack of opportunities, and a civilization that will never be able to advance. The education of women, in my opinion, is the most promising answer to ending poverty across the globe. When girls are educated, not only do they use that knowledge, but they also pass it on – specifically to their children. Women tend to be more family oriented than men, and therefore if a woman in the developing world is able to be educated and earn an income, she is more likely to save her earnings to invest in her children’s futures: their education, their nourishment, their overall wellbeing. But when women are not educated, they have nothing to pass from one generation to the next except for the hard-to-break cycle of poverty.

In Nicaragua, women undoubtedly face oppression. It is not nearly as extreme as it is in parts of Africa, Asia, or the Middle East, but it’s evident nonetheless. Through work in orphanages and other impoverished communities, I’ve found that girls here are significantly less likely to dream or set goals for their future than boys, mostly because they’ve never been encouraged to do so. Keeping the poor in school – both boys and girls – is an undeniable problem in Nicaragua. Often, in desperate need of extra income, young girls are taken out of school by their parents and forced into prostitution to earn a few dollars. Many girls have children by the time they are in their mid-late teens and see no purpose in or have no time for education. Women of all ages resort to prostitution in order to feed their children. And so girls carry on with the lives that are expected of them: to have children and take care of the family.

During our time in Nicaragua, we’ve encountered many organizations that are working to empower women and girls, encouraging them to dream big, and showing them what they are capable of doing. Chacocente is a community of families who have been relocated from La Chureca, the Managua City trash dump, with hopes for a new life away from prostitution, drug addiction, and oppression. The women of Chacocente have been taught useful skills such as hammock-making and macramé, and are now helping to provide for their families. Eight of the women in Chacocente are Chaka artisans. Nica HOPE, another organization we work with (where much of our jewelry comes from), emphasizes the importance of an education to many young girls and women, as well as young boys. Students, most of which are from La Chureca, are able to come to Nica HOPE facilities to make jewelry and earn extra income in the afternoons, but only if they attend a full day of school that day. House of Hope, yet another organization in Managua, gives women an income-earning alternative to prostitution by providing them with materials to make jewelry, greeting cards, and ornaments.  All of these organizations are working to empower women and girls and show them that they can and will be an integral part to the advancement of Nicaragua up the steep ladder of development.

Fortunately, some progress has been made in Nicaragua. More girls are realizing the value in education and are graduating from high school, attending college, waiting to have children, and setting goals for themselves. Women are finding their way into more formal sector jobs. Through microloans and other programs, women are able to start businesses that allow them to earn an income, support their families and progress forward. As Kristof alludes to over and over again in “Half The Sky”, women are not the problem, but rather an opportunity and large part of the solution. Now developing countries just need to work towards taking advantage of that opportunity.

At Chaka MarketBridge, we strive to give both men and women a place to sell their beautiful products in the global market, therefore strengthening their ability to provide for their families and empowering them to dream big, encourage their children, and find hope in a better tomorrow, equally and together.

A local missionary in Managua recently suggested a new lens, that is really quite simple:  we’re building a middle class. 

We re-tweeted a post from Compassion International this week (http://bit.ly/9RQzuo ) that highlights a World Bank study called “How the Poor Define Poverty: Can Anyone Hear Us?”.  Check it out if you haven’t.  It’s fascinating.  And, two things strike me as particularly relevant to building a middle class of empowered artisans: 

1) the poor in this study largely define poverty as things like “dependence” (40%) and “incapacity” (21%), and

2) the study underscores the multidimensionality of poverty.

Why is this relevant to building a middle class?  Because, if poverty is truly multidimensional (I believe wholly that it is), the same interconnectedness that keeps people in poverty may help break the cycle.  If a person can sufficiently break one dimension of poverty (the study highlights five in total) then the others may hopefully follow suit.  I have no statistics to back this up, as of yet, so take this as just an abstraction, but what if it’s true?  If you can find a way to turn dependence into independence, or incapacity into empowerment, the possibilities grow significantly.  A person might just be able to break the poverty cycle, and provide his/her family with adequacy, not scarcity.  But, that can’t happen unless the society and the economy provide an accessible step to grab onto:  a middle class.

17 flights, in 31 days, taking the stories of 43 artisans to 9 major cities across the US; an 8 hour international bus ride, and 1 seamless border crossing with 188 pounds of luggage, and we’re most excited and blessed by the number 24.  It took us only 24 hours to find an apartment here in Nicaragua.  (In hindsight, moving internationally with no idea where we were moving to might have been a bad idea).  But, we were very blessed to find an apartment in an extremely safe, very central part of town.  And now, we’ve been able to get down to it.

We got to enjoy lunch with a great crowd from Vida Joven Nicaragua after church at ICF on Sunday.  And, after that, we had the chance to head out to San Juan de Oriente, to walk around and visit some of the guys.  While many of the artisans had closed up shop for the day, or were in other communities trying to sell products, we got to see a different side of San Juan de Oriente.  As the afternoon drew on, it seemed like everyone just took a deep breath.  Whether they were walking up to the ‘mirador’ over Laguna de Apoyo, enjoying a game of stickball in the street, carrying their little daughter in the hull of a barbeque grill, or sitting on the big green steps, everyone seemed to be just hanging around, together.  And so we decided to relax ourselves, with just a few of our artisans: Jose, Isaias, and Duilio’s wife Paola.

Then, on Monday, we got to go out and see the fruits of long hard labor of the guys at El Herrero.  They’ve just recently finished building a new trade school, from which they will train the workers that will go out and create both disciples and trained blacksmiths.  And, with Dave and Mike transitioning away from El Herrero, after 5 years in Los Brasiles, Salamon and the guys are now running the show.  But they need orders, they need business, and they need income.  All of which we are glad to provide, in exchange for the great work that they do.  After talking privately with Salamon and Ivan about how we’ll move forward from here, we looked back to see them grinning ear to ear, and slap a high five.  We call that a “this is why we do it” moment, and a great welcome to Nicaragua.

In the words of our artisans:

Manuela…“My dream is to achieve by making handicrafts, making new thing so I can seguir adelante.”

Fanor…“[Being an artisan] is a very tough life, and we’ve gotten to where we are through great effort. Thanks be to God for helping us to continue to seguir adelante.”

Karen…“My dream is that my daughters grow. And that they will seguir adelante and study a lot. And that they will learn so they can be something that they couldn’t be before.”

Reyna…“My dream is to have a small business with the help of Americans that buy from us, and in this way we can seguir adelante.”

And so we commit to continue doing what we’ve been doing: working with our artisans to ensure they can do more than just carry on, but rather seguir adelante and achieve their dreams.

‘Imagine two women, with the same circumstances, and backgrounds. Each has everything that she owns, all her wealth and assets, in her purse; let’s say she has $10.00. One woman knows that tomorrow, someone will deposit $10,000,000 into her bank account. She has hope for something very bright for the future. But, the other, does not have this hope. Imagine, now, that both of them have their purse stolen. How different would their reactions be?”

Tim Keller did a wonderful job explaining how the Holy Spirit offers this real hope to all of us, for eternity. I’d like to borrow it, and think about it in the context of our artisans, and to dream a little bit about what the future might look like, and how that might shape the perspective lens on the present…

Chaka exists because our artisans’ futures are dotted with limited business growth potential. In this example, our artisans are the second woman. There is no hope that tomorrow someone will deposit a life changing opportunity into their world.

This is not to say that Chaka is figuratively, or literally, depositing $10,000,000 with each of our artisans. But, it is to say that our goal, and our dream, is to present our artisans with tangible hope that a better future is on the way. And, that this hope would help them to shape the decisions that they make now. And, that it would shape the way that they perceive themselves and their current situation. Adding to that perception dignity, self-worth and a sense of value and pride.

Well, thanks for asking. We’re glad you did! This final entry in the series on how Chaka is accelerating microfinance will address just that. In the first two entries, we looked at the need for greater demand among microfinance clients, and specifically artisans. Today, we’ll look at how Chaka closes the loop on microfinance.

With the critical help of our customers, we are providing access to market for demand-starving artisans. But, we want to be sure to do that responsibly. Our desire is to accelerate local markets, not to destroy them. To accelerate local demand, not replace it. To set communities on their own feet, not to pull them up by their arms.

Driven by this desire, Chaka is committed to:

Fair prices and truly fair trade, as determined by the artisan. We always honor local market prices. We will not haggle, bully or coerce our artisans into lower prices. Neither will we exceed the local market price. We want our artisans to be engaged in local markets, such that they continue to develop those markets, never coming to depend on us.

25% raises for all our artisans. With a 25% raise, many of our artisans will be able to save more, repay their loans sooner, buy more local products, send their children to school, and breathe easier. By committing to a 25% raise target, we are careful to raise communities, not micro-empires.

Going Deep, then Wide. We get involved deeply in the communities where we work. This helps to accelerate the multiplier effect . Each artisan and each family has both a direct and an indirect role in shaping the community. By getting involved throughout the community, we make sure that all of them can play their critical role a little better.

10% more than pure sales. Through the Barrio Fund, Chaka will return 10% back to the community, in whatever way the artisans choose. If they want a new roof on the school, cool! A jewelry leasing co-op, cool! A mini-microfinance program, cool! A casino, maybe not…

This way, we are empowering each artisan with dignity. The dignity of a choice to support their families as they choose. And with the dignity that they take home as they do it better and better, bringing home 25% more income each year, and firmly grasping a better life for their families.

Each year, we’ll put out a Social Impact Report that will qualitatively and quantitatively measure how well we’re meeting these goals. And we hope you’ll read it. And if you don’t like how something looks, let us know! In this way, we want to make sure that together, we are achieving the progression of development that we intend… that every purchase allows an artisan to GROW a business, to SUPPORT a family and LIFT a community.

I think it is safe to say, for all artists, art is a form of expression. An expression of what is beautiful and unique. For our artisans in Nicaragua, this is no different. Their art tells their unique story in the form of a vase, a necklace, a wine rack or a purse. It tells the story of their culture, their personality and their circumstances.

But, for our artisans, the more important story is the story of their growth. They are growing through the design, creation and sale of their beautiful art. Through this art, they are expressing their desired way of supporting their family while creating something beautiful. But, while they make it beautiful, you help make it valuable. As a Chaka community, we have the privilege of telling our artisans that what they make is valuable, not just beautiful. So, returning to the question, what is art? For Jose, Jose, Duilio, Ana Maria and the rest, it is a way of life that is deep in tradition, story and beauty. And, it is the way that they have chosen to support themselves. And, it is the way that we get to help them do so.

As we introduce new Fabretto Nica Hope Paper Bead Necklaces this week, we’re excited to announce that all introductory sales will not only contribute to the Seguridad Economica group of the Fabretto Nica Hope Center, but will give one of the jewelers a night out! For each necklace sold, Chaka will sponsor a student jeweler for a special night out at the Fabretto Benefit concert on Saturday. Find out more about the Fabretto Nica Hope Center, and help us give a jeweler the break that they deserve by buying a recycled paper bead necklace now.

(anyone want to model them better than Geoff?)

The Nica Hope jewelers are hand rolling paper beads out of magazines and envelopes that are turning into beautiful necklaces! Maryeling, the director, tells us that everyone wants to work with the paper, even though the process is extremely detailed. Each bead has to be traced, cut, rolled, glued, painted, painted again, and then assembled into a necklace. On average, it takes up to 20 hours to make a single necklace!

Beyond the jewelry itself, Geoff and I got to meet the new Seguridad Economica group that Nica Hope has dedicated to making all of the jewelry sold through Chaka. Nica Hope determined that these jewelers are the 15 most vulnerable members of the jewelry making community in La Chureca/Acahualinca. These young women (and three young men) were determined to be in greatest need of immediate economic security, due to their situation at home – their family history, number of children, level of income, the number of contributing members of the household, etc. In so doing, Nica Hope is helping Chaka ensure that the contribution of our purchases are directed where they are most needed; simply put, together, we’re making sure that each purchase on Chaka helps as much as it can!

As you may have heard, we first met Jose in San Juan del Sur in January. This time, when we first saw him, it was at the same spot that we first met him (the very same table in El Gato Negro). Jose joked on me a bit, reminding me of the process that I put him through the first time that we met. If you haven’t heard me tell it, I called the number inscribed on the bottom of his pot to ensure that it was made by him (it rang in his pocket). This time, instead of putting him through the rigor, we simply got to eat with Jose. What did he want? An orange juice with carrot in it. Gross, if you ask me, but whatever he wants, he gets!

Beyond lunch, Geoff, Megan (our surf instructor) and I also had the pleasure of giving Jose a ride home, to San Juan de Oriente, which is about 2 hours from San Juan del Sur. During the ride, Jose and I got to enjoy friendship beyond business. We talked sports, life, relationships, family, friends, politics, and much about China (I think I’ll write a whole blog post about Jose’s thoughts about China, later).

Through all of the conversation, one thing stuck out to me: THIS is why we do it. We work so hard, and such long nights, because people like Jose are so special. And you want to hear something crazy? Jose has to travel 2 hours each way, and pay a substantial bus fare just to sell a few pots; and even there, he doesn’t get what he deserves for them. That’s what I call a demand problem! So, as we rode with Jose today, I was reinvigorated and renewed in my commitment to continue to tell Jose’s story, and to continue to sell his products, so that through Chaka, Jose can grow his business, increase his possibilities, and continue to put his 5 children through school. Man do we love Jose. Seriously, he’s the man.

After leaving San Juan de Oriente it just hit me that this is why we do what we do. It isn’t about having 100 artisans on our website, being in multiple countries, or reaching some revenue milepost. It’s about the individuals. It’s about impacting their lives in a meaningful way. If we can positively impact one life for Jesus Christ then it’s all worth it! Please continue to follow our artisans on our website and I promise we will tell their stories in the most accurate way possible! And maybe one day you can tag along with us and meet them for yourself!

We got to check out our first Lacrosse the Nations practice today at the School of Hope in La Chureca and, among many other things, were amazed by how similar the organized chaos is to children’s sports in the States. Case in point? Geoff almost got his head taken off with a Lacrosse stick (No matter what he says, he probably deserved it).

Above all, LtN is a great display of the power of sports in creating community and fostering the development of important life skills, no matter the economic situation. I think about the impact that sports have had on my life, beyond fitness and enjoyment, team building, the importance of hard work and excellence, and the development of community. And, carrying the sticks to practice with students jumping all over us to be the first to get a stick for the day, you can tell that the effect is no different in La Chureca.

Nica internet permitting, check out the video of Norman, one of the Nica LtN coaches, as he talks about the place of LtN in La Chureca. (If Nica internet gets the best of us, we’ll post it when we get back!)

Being a bunch of suburban kids in Virginia, a lot of people ask us why in the world we decided to build an online marketplace focused on microfinance artisans, or ‘micro-artisans.’ Why of all things, would we choose to create impact in art? A couple of statistics, and then a quick explanation of where Chaka fits hope to shed some light on the question:

• 19% of the Nicaraguan workforce is employed in the industrial sector, however, a look at the major profitable products considered industrial in Nicaragua and you won’t find any artisanal goods except for wood.
• According to a recent CGAP study on the profile of microfinance in Nicaragua, the country saw a 90% increase in exports from 2004 to 2007 for the 20 major products, including coffee and beef. Notably absent from that list would be things like ceramics, jewelry and wood workings – artisanal goods.

In communities like San Juan de Oriente, people like Jose tell us that in a community of 5,200, 4,000 people are potters. And this is not uncommon in communities largely stuck in the informal economic sector across the world – many of them are craft based economies, with trades passed down from generation to generation.

What’s the point? The development cycle largely skips many, if not most, artisanal communities. When exports are jumping 90%, the 4,000 potters in San Juan de Oriente are totally missing out. Their markets remain capped by the local potential. Yet, they make high-quality, valuable art. And these pieces of art are not souvenirs or trinkets. They are valuable, decorative pieces that people all around the world would love – if they had access to them. So, that’s where Chaka comes in. We are providing access to this market – where micro-artisans can gain the value that they deserve for their goods.

So, that leaves the question of how, specifically, to do it. How do you use the international marketplace to complement and accelerate the local economies; not supplant them? We’re trying to make sure that Chaka provides an injection that accelerates, not destroys. We’ll talk through some our thoughts next time, but we’d love your help crafting that impact and strategy. What have you seen that works? Or doesn’t… Let us know! We’ll be much more effective when we do this as a community!

During the countless site visits we made throughout rural Ecuador, we kept hearing that microfinance was indeed working. But, those more experienced clients, working on their fourth or fifth loan noted that it took them three or four loans to really gain an improved quality of life.

This fact is central to the design of most microfinance systems: the graduated loan scale. As each loan is paid off, a bigger loan is available. In this Ecuadorian case, there were four defined steps in the initial scale: $400, $800, $1200 and $2,000. Beyond instilling incentive to repay, the graduated scale also prescribes a growth pattern, and a specifically common behavior, which we saw through Eva.

When we gave Eva a $400 loan, she did exactly the same as every other microentrepreneur I’ve ever known – she increased her production capacity, by buying a potato peeler. For Eva, a potato peeler meant she could make more salchipapas and could now open her restaurant for lunch. However, for Eva and her peers, increased production does not mean increased demand. There is a gap, or surplus, created as a result of this microfinance behavior.

Although they will eventually settle in at equilibrium, with production matching sales, it takes time. Which means it won’t be easy to pay off the current loan, and will take longer to see true impact as they move up the graduated scale. So, that begs the question, what should micro-marketing/sales look like these artisans? How can we, as Chaka and the international marketplace, act in response to this surplus/gap? And, what else do you know of that is working, that Chaka can contribute to, to accelerate?

Four Months Ago from Chaka MarketBridge on Vimeo.

Old Friends from Chaka MarketBridge on Vimeo.

Lots of Meetings from Chaka MarketBridge on Vimeo.

Journey's End from Chaka MarketBridge on Vimeo.

We had a lot of fun with some really cool people. We drove around all over the place rocking out to more than a few “guilty pleasure” songs, spent hours shopping for ceramics, were introduced to the local authorities because someone “just wanted the experience,” savored the local fare (TipTop, claro), and even made an appearance at a few fiestas. Like I said, a good time.

Visiting and hanging out with the artisans we had met back in January was, well, exactly that. Visiting and hanging out. From Duilio’s boisterous greeting to Jose Gutierrez’s shy smile, it wasn’t hard to be reminded of why, exactly, we were in Nicaragua–the people. We were ushered into homes, quickly offered chairs, and were regaled with stories by our friends. Yes, friends. A picture I wish I had taken was similar to the scene directly above. Except Diulio, Candida, and Leandro were joined by Kelly and Neil. Relaxing on the steps, just chatting. I mean, I assume they were just chatting. I only catch about every fourth word in Spanish, anyway. But, cheesy as this sentence may be, laughter translates pretty well in any language. And there was a lot of that.

Meeting new people is one of my favorite things about this job. Even if I can’t communicate with them very well. Hearing new stories and listening to people describe things they are really excited about is something I hope never gets old. If I could, I’d like to introduce you to Ivan and Iveth. Artisans who live and work in Managua. Ivan crafts wooden jewelry and Iveth takes ordinary objects like seeds, avocado pits, and beans and fashions them into jewelry, belts, and other accessories. Good people.

Yes, the trip to Nicaragua was a great time. And yes, I came back way too soon. If I could have things my way, I’d still be there. But it’s a lot of fun to be able to come back and tell you about how great it really was. To show you a few pictures. And, hopefully, to get you excited about the friends we’re making and the work we’re doing, partnering with them.

• Geographic coordinates: 13′00” N 85′00”W
• Land Area: 130,370 sq km
• Population (2009): 5,891,199
• Literacy Rate: 67.5%

Nicaragua’s GDP per capita, as of 2009, is $2800. Which ranks it 169th in the world. Underemployment was listed at 46.5% in 2008 and 48% of the population are categorized below the poverty line. Accordingly, the Factbook declares Nicaragua to be the “poorest country in Central America” with “widespread underemployment and poverty.”

It’s easy, I think, to become desensitized by statistics. To allow statistics to think for you and draw skewed conclusions. I see words like “poorest” and phrases like “67.5% literacy rate,” and I immediately allow those superlative comparisons and percentages to inform my view and understanding of an entire population.

Which is why I’m thankful to have met people like Jose and Douglas. And I’d like to briefly introduce them to you here:

Jose is a master craftsman, turning clay on his wheel, firing it in his kiln, etching in designs using his own homemade tools, and painting it with handmade paintbrushes. After which he sells it to provide for his family, put his children through school, and contribute to his community of San Juan de Oriente.

Douglas is about to graduate from college, and he wants to be a high school teacher, striving to provide an education for a younger generation. He works for the family business–creating ceramic pottery–with his mother. A business that has paid for his schooling and has empowered him to realize his lifelong dream.

Nicaragua is full of people like Jose and his wife. Douglas and his mother. Skilled, hard-working individuals whose value is not determined by socio-economic statistics or a macro-economic perspective. Rather, their value is in their worth as people, using their God-given gifts to support their families and their communities. In their own specific, individual way. And at Chaka, we want to partner with that value. Support that value. Celebrate, recognize, and realize that value. These are real people, human beings, loved by their Creator. Not a ranking, a number, or a statistic.

It’s been great for us to get to meet these folks. Happy and gregarious (Diulio), passionate and proud (Jose), quiet and un-assuming (Candida). And it excites us that, to the virtual extent possible, you get to meet them, too. Learn their names, hear their stories, and recognize their value. Because, really, that’s what we’re all about–bridging people.

While the team picked out what to buy, we talked to Duilio about his big news: his son graduated from school, and the family is adding a second story bedroom to the house.

Congratulations Duilio!

Duilio was gracious enough to introduce to a number of his neighbors, who had great stories that I think can only be called one thing: enterprising.

Candida Lopez sheepishly told me that her dream has always been to be a singer, and she then so proudly noted that she is living that dream every week, leading worship at church, beside her husband, Fanor.

From his family’s ceramic store, Douglas told me that his dream is to be a high-school teacher. Douglas smiled big as he told me that, working alongside his mom, he has used his ceramics to put himself through university. When he graduates in a few weeks, with a degree in Estudios Sociales (Social Studies), Douglas will seek a job as a teacher in a local high school. Until he can find a job, he’ll keep working in the family business and will substitute teach as he actively lives out his dream.

These are just a couple of the stories from today, both of which challenge me to think about my dream, and what I can be doing to make that an active reality. In the midst of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, these families are growing, and dreaming, and succeeding. Personally, I can’t wait to meet more of these enterprising families, and to begin to live their success stories alongside them.

The most striking aspect of our car ride westward from the airport? The complete and utter lack of expectation, preparation, and comprehension with which we arrived in January. Truly, the most extensive plan on our itinerary was “rent a car.” This realization 1.) continued to reaffirm how incredibly blessed we were on our previous trip and 2.) gave us a greater appreciation for how far we’ve come, and how far we’ve yet to go. And, really, it continues to give us a greater appreciation for the boldness, courage, and sheer determination of the enterprising entrepreneurs and artisans we partner with. How their intelligence, skill, and acumen are contributing directly to the health and well-being of their families and communities. And how excited we are to be able to support that endeavor. How you are able to support that endeavor.

No rest for the weary: a morning full of travel, an afternoon full of meetings, an evening full of networking and re-acquainting friendships, and it all totals up to equal a long, long day. We’re excited for the upcoming four days. To get to see Diulio and Jose again. To meet some of their fellow artisans and community members. To stay at the Manna House and visit with the cool folks there. But, ultimately, to continue to work toward building this bridge between these dedicated, enterprising individuals and the people who want to share in their successes. People like you.

If you haven’t already, please take some time and explore. The artisan pages, the products, the FAQ. This site is what technical types call a “Beta” version. I can’t really explain the etymology or the intricate details, but it essentially means that what you’re seeing now isn’t meant to be the final product. Which means if you find something you don’t like, or something that’s missing, or something that doesn’t work, please let us know! And, most especially, if you have suggestions for ways to make it better, please, by all means, send those along as well.

So, Chaka MarketBridge officially launched on Friday, March 26, 2010. The five of us attended a conference at UVa called Perspectives in Development, hosted by SEED (a student group at UVa committed to fostering sustainable development in communities around the world), ESWB, and GDO. The conference featured, among many other prominent speakers, Professor Rehman Sobhan, former Chairperson at the Grameen Bank. Professor Sobhan talked a lot about microfinance, microenterprise, and how the challenge in the developing world isn’t so much giving the “excluded” more access to wealth, but more access to opportunity–a connection to a wider market. At the pre-conference banquet on Thursday night, Neil, John, and I got to meet Professor Sobhan and introduce him to Chaka’s mission and how Chaka is striving to facilitate that very access to opportunity. Professor Sobhan got so excited about the idea, he pulled Neil aside, and the two of them sat and talked at length about the theoretical and practical implications. Apparently this discussion made a lasting impression on the Professor because he referenced Chaka several times during his talk the next morning as an example of actionable measures in conjunction with his socio-economic theories. This endorsement was incredibly rewarding for all of us, as it tangibly represented a validation of everything we’ve been working toward these last few months. And it has us irrepressibly excited about moving forward.

All in all, the conference and launch was a huge success. (We’d particularly like to thank SEED for graciously inviting us to participate.) The website looks great (if we might say so ourselves), and the products are all up and available for purchase (except for those that we’re already sold out of). If I might be honest on his behalf, Geoff checks the inventory list every half-hour, just in case. The enthusiasm has been contagious, and there’s nothing we love to talk about more. But the work (if you could really call it that. It sure doesn’t feel like work.) doesn’t stop here. In fact, things get crazier moving forward. We’ve recently received some more styles of ceramics from Diulio and Jose Guerrero. And expanded our supply to include wood and coconut shell crafts from Bluefields, a town on the Caribbean coast of the country. Coffee is forthcoming. And we’re continuously on the lookout for other artisans and initiatives to partner with. Other products to offer you. Other relationships and connections to bridge.

We’re working on a better way to connect with you. To better connect with this burgeoning community. In the meantime, comment on the page, or shoot us an e-mail (mfarrell@chakamarketbridge.com). We’d love to hear from you.

A bit of recap, perhaps. Our purpose in coming down to Managua was largely threefold: 1. establish relationships, 2. purchase enough merchandise to float a pilot, and 3. develop and vet the viability of our business plan. Oh, and get in a bit of vacation time, too. I can safely assert that when we landed last Thursday afternoon, we hadn’t the faintest notion of the absolute bounty and providence that awaited us. And I certainly do not command the eloquence necessary to adequately capture all that has befallen us these last five and a half days. Though certainly not for want of trying.

Drawing your attention again, then, to the purpose of our trip. We have been more wildly successful in all three main areas than we had ever dared hope. (Though, to ascribe any of that success to our direct efforts is laughable.) The fourth? Well, we might need a vacation when we get back… Allow me to regale you with some highlights:

The people in Nicaragua that we have encountered are incredible. This ranges from the remarkable folks working at Manna Project International, to the remarkable folks working at Nica HOPE, the remarkable folks working at Fabretto, the remarkable folks that cheerfully and helpfully give us directions when we’re helplessly lost. (For the record, we were never lost—just exploring parts of the city we’d never seen before). The kids in La Chureca (the city dump). The artisans working in Masaya and San Juan de Oriente. The families in Cedro Galan and Chiquilistagua (the Manna communities).

We came down to Nicaragua expecting to implement an acceleration of the microfinance process. We’ve come to realize that, while microfinance is an effective tool, there are several other initiatives and programs that are striving to affect the same kind of change and deliver the same sort of impact, and that we would be fools not to extend a hand in partnership. Narrowly, we had assumed that microfinance would be the best means to an end. But this trip, among many other things, has opened our eyes, and our hearts, to the inescapable truth that the focus belongs on many viable means to that end—families working to make a better life for themselves and their communities. These are the answers that we want to be a part of. That we want you to be a part of.

So where does this leave us? In a spectacular place, I think. Again, I wish I could convey to you the excitement, fervor, and passion that have driven Neil and me these past few days. The opportunities. The partnerships. The hope. Sure, we’re bringing back suitcases crammed full of products we’ll be piloting on our site. But it’s more than just the physical merchandise. Jewelry made by children whose potential was limited by their ability to collect recyclables from the massive trash heaps of the city dump. Pottery made by a father whose dream is for his son to go to college and become a computer engineer. Woodwork and purses sold by women whose livelihoods, and the lives of their families, depend on the success of their businesses. And, of course, the relationships. With the entrepreneurial artisans, not just their businesses. With the compassionate social workers, not just the organizations. It’s those meaningful, empowering, hope-giving impacts that have us most excited. And hopefully have you excited, as well.

I find it hard to believe that we’re on the return trip home tomorrow morning, and that this time Wednesday night, I’ll be back in DC. But just because we’re not in Nicaragua anymore doesn’t mean that things aren’t happening anymore, nor that updates won’t be forthcoming. Really, the work has only just begun, and Chaka has only just started. This prospect thrills us to no end, and we’re simultaneously grateful and pleased that you, dear reader, are right there with us.

Car-Rental Clerk (nice lady): ¿Cuantos años tienes? (How old are you?)

Neil Paine (flirting with the car-rental clerk): Suficiente. (Old enough.)

We touched down at 12:30, Nicaragua time, and were on the road, zipping around in our Toyota Yaris, by 2:30, with all our stuff (even the suitcase we checked, in spite of that ridiculously short layover…props to the C0ntinental baggage crew at Houston Int’l).

A quick word about the Yaris. It doesn’t have a lot of power (none), and has the darkest tinted windows I’ve seen this side of Obama’s ride. And usually, when you rent a car, they look it over with you, for existing dings, and give you the basic tutorial (lights, windshield wipers, gas cover lever). Here? The fellow who handed us the keys was quickest to show us the spare tire, tire iron, and the jack. And, honestly, it’s a small miracle we haven’t yet had need of them.

However, the Yaris does have a lot of character. And the capacity to “seat” 8. Neil and I are hanging out with the folks at Manna Project International (and if you aren’t familiar yet with who they are or what they do, then, frankly, you’re missing out) who are, among many good and gracious things, fantastic hosts. And part of our first evening’s frivolities included a trip to many of Managua’s most happening night spots: dinner at Galerias (Tacontent0). After-dinner libations at Mio Mi Gato. And then one of the most distinctive experiences I’ve ever had (and no, that is not hyperbole) at a nightclub called Chaman. Where we arrived rolling 8-deep in the Yaris. And then some spectacular dancing. Techno/hip hop/salsa/everything. With some of the most talented salsa dancing I’ve ever borne witness to. Neil maintains they were robots.

Lest you get the wrong idea, it hasn’t all been bacchanaliando (partying). We’ve been to some eye -opening places (La Chureca—the city dump), and listened to some heart-wrenching stories—only confirming for us the real need that exists here in Managua. But there are also stories of real hope. The good work that Manna is doing, and the lives and communities that they are impacting. Other initiatives like Nica HOPE, Empleo Listo, and an awesome cooperative started and run by local Nicaraguan 20-somethings to help the Managuan preschools called Nicayuda.

As I write this, it’s almost 9:00AM on Saturday—we haven’t even been in Nicaragua for a full two days. But we’ve already had enough adventures, conversations, and perspective-altering experiences to fill many, many more paragraphs. More on all that later, but we’re both really excited about how the work we envision for Chaka—the support of folks like you—can have a meaningful impact in the lives of the people we are meeting. It’s been a raucous good time, and I have no reason to doubt the continuation of that trend. Hasta pronto!

Now, this introduction is pretty well summed-up by Neil in the first video blog post, and the About Us section also touches on it briefly. But I’m going to recap it here, just for consistency’s sake. Moving forward, I don’t really intend to parrot too much of the other updates we post, as I’d like to capture as many fresh perspectives as possible. Which means that, although mine might be the most oft-appearing name in the by-line, you’ll get to see Chaka’s progress through the eyes of Neil, Todd, and Geoff, as well.

At Chaka, our vision is to create an online, peer-to-peer marketplace for entrepreneurs in developing countries. The artisans we partner with in these countries are supported by microfinance loans. These loans provide them with the capital they need to start their business. However, what many artisans lack is the access to a wider demand–a larger market–to help them grow their business in a meaningful way. The microfinance loans start these folks off on the right step, but this limited demand is a major obstacle toward a viable business.

And that’s where Chaka comes in. We intend to partner with these artisans in a sustainable way to bridge them to a larger market–an online marketplace–that will help them grow their businesses and allow them to support their families and their communities. We offer their products to you, the consumer, and your purchase of these products is not just a business transaction. It’s an investment. An endorsement, even. Of someone’s idea, their family, their livelihood. A partnership. To that end, Chaka isn’t about bridging just supply and demand. We invite you to meet these entrepreneurs. Learn their names and listen to their stories. As you do, I have every confidence that you will begin to see that merchandise and dollars aren’t the only currency involved in each transaction. Rather, that these are real relationships, bridging lives through compassion, opportunity, and hope.

A journey of a thousand miles, as they say, begins with a single step, and our single step right now is Nicaragua. Neil and I are headed down to Managua (the capital) on Thursday. And we couldn’t be more excited. We only have a week, but our intent is to meet with local microfinance institutions (MFIs), meet some of the entrepreneurs, and begin to forge relationships that will help us realize our vision.

Admittedly, the weather is considerably warmer, and I am thrilled about the notion of being on a beach in January. And learning how to do this. Or this. Neil, on the other hand, mentioned something about a museum.

At any rate, while we’re down there, we plan on updating this page with as much information as we’ll have time to include. Pictures and video, stories and faces–everything. I’d encourage you to check in from time to time. And let us know how we’re doing: what you like, what annoys you, what you think we could be doing better. There are comment features scattered all throughout the blog. If you find you have a lot to say, pen an e-mail (mfarrell@chakamarketbridge.com). We certainly need your support. And thank you. Sincerely. Honestly. Whole-heartedly.