FMSC MarketPlace’s new partner, Hearts of Hope in Colombia, supports 50 women through their artisan program. These artisans, who are members of the indigenous Wayúu tribe, weave beautifully intricate mochila bags using vibrant cotton threads. Behind every bag, there is a history of ancestral tradition, hard work, and craftsmanship. The techniques have been used for centuries and are passed down from one generation of Wayúu women to the next.

The Wayúu inhabit the arid Guajira Peninsula straddling the Venezuela-Colombia border, on the Caribbean Sea coast. Two major rivers flow through this mostly harsh environment: the Rancheria River in Colombia and the El Limón River in Venezuela representing the main source of water, along with artificial ponds designed to hold rain water during the rainy season. They have a saying molded by the centuries of hardship they have endured: "It is only from strong sunlight and harsh rains, that a seed can sprout."