EVENTS WITH OUR CHOL-CHOL GUESTS
September 19 to 26
Exhibit of Woven Chilean Artwork
Embassy of Chile, 1732 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC
The Embassy has generously offered our weavers their lovely gallery space in which to display the museum quality woven textiles of Chol-Chol beneficiaries. The gallery is open daily during normal business hours on a walk-in basis. This is a great lunch hour stop!
My apologies to any Chol-Chol friends and supporters who do not live in the Washington area. Please feel free to forward this email on to friends in the area who might like to see Chol-Chol woven goods. Also, if you might like me to help you set up a special Chol-Chol exhibit in your area or home, please call me at 703-405-0795 or e-mail me at mlschilken@yahoo.com to talk about these details.
ABOUT THE NEEDS FOR A CULTURAL CENTER
The National Statistics Institute of Chile reports that between the summers of 2003 and 2004 there was a 20 percent increase in foreign visitors to the ninth region of Chile, where Fundacion Chol-Chol is located. Tourists that participate on the Route of the Volcanoes, a scenic and ecologically significant area, have a stopover at Chol-Chol and have a chance to buy woven goods and learn about the history and culture of the Mapuche people.
When we talked to the Mapuche people in their communities about setting up the Cultural Center, many generously offered to lend the museum artifacts they have had in their families--ceramics, wooden crafts, baskets, and ceremonial objects, as well as woven goods--for display. Needless to say, they were willing to share their treasures. We hope you might be able to share some of your treasure with them.
Please remember that all funds raised by the Parajo Jai reception will be dedicated to the Mapuche Cultural Center building fund. If you are unable to attend this event but would like to help support the Center through a tax deductible financial contribution, please make out and mail your check to: Chol-Chol Foundation for Human Development, 4431 Garrison Street, NW, Washington, DC 20078-9239.
ABOUT THE CHOL-CHOL FOUNDATION
The Chol Chol Foundation (CCF) is a 35 year old non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization established in Washington to work with rural indigenous communities in the ninth and poorest region of Chile. In the past decade CCF has held cultural and fundraiser events at the Chilean Embassy, the Textile Museum and other local venues. On these occasions Mapuche weavers have come to demonstrate their work and offer their perspectives of their culture. CCF was also instrumental in the extensive presence of Mapuches in the opening of the National Museum of the American Indian. The CCF Board of Directors is also privileged to have two active members who are Mapuches that live in the D.C. area.
In 2000, a Chilean non-profit called "Fundación Chol Chol James W. Mundell para el Desarrollo Humano" was established. The Fundación reaches more than 35 rural communities and 680 weavers, in part with financial support from CCF. The Fundación bases its work on recognition and respect for the Mapuche people and customs. In response to the beneficiaries' requests for more training and support, the Fundación started an alternative economic program in 1997 which empowers artisans and weavers by improving skills that they apply to improve their quality of life. With assistance from the Fundación, weavers organized their own association, the Asociación Indígena Ñimi Kafe Pu Domo, which brings delegates from target communities together in monthly meetings to discuss marketing, debate pricing, organize upcoming fairs and sales events and modify on-going work plans.