Over two decades ago, Christian’s life changed when a friend introduced him to the world of tagua crafting. Christian saw the potential for a new livelihood, so he diligently learned the trade before starting a workshop of his own with his wife. In the workshop’s early days, Christian would carve and polish the tagua pieces, then pass them to his wife to be dyed.

The workshop’s main clients were locals from Otavalo, which is home to the largest artisan market in Latin America. But little by little, the couple began to attract more customers, enabling them to hire other Artisans in their community. Christian says that the journey hasn’t been without adversity–but he is proud to use his skills to impact not just his own family, but other families in need of fair work.

Nestled in the Andes, Ecuador is known for its ecological beauty and diversity. Its varied landscape features active volcanoes, rainforests, beaches, and sprawling Incan ruins. Its main exports include agricultural products like cacao, bananas, and flowers. Ecuador is a country that treasures its natural resources–in fact, it was the first nation to officially recognize the rights of nature in its constitution in 2008. Ecuador's indigenous groups make up 25% of the population; their cultures form a unique tapestry of flavors, textiles, and languages