
STYLE made with LOVE
Móny’s Tagua Workshop
Otavalo, Ecuador
Partners Since 2012
About
For Señora Mónica (Móny to those who love her), leading this special
workshop is more than a job or even a way to impact her community. It’s also a
way to carry on her late husband Luis’ legacy. Luis founded the workshop in
2008 after he lost his job. He began to tinker with the tagua seeds that fall
from the palm trees in Ecuador and realized that by carving and sanding them,
he could create something beautiful to sell in the local market.
Other artisans began to ask for his high-quality polished seeds, and soon his
business began to grow. Tragically, Luis passed away in 2016–but Móny was
determined to carry on his work. She has continued to grow the workshop as a
means of providing safe and well-paying work to other families in their
community.

Otavalo, Ecuador
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.

Flourishing World Initiative Grant Recipient



Stories of Flourishing

Sra. Móny

Móny
