Helping Central America

Edgar High Spanish Club sells merchandise to assist artisans

Members of the Edgar High School Spanish Club have raised over $560 for Pulsera, an organization that tries to benefit artisans in Nicaragua and Guatemala.

The club members sold purses and bracelets to local people during the December holiday shopping season. The hand-made goods are sold at fair-trade prices that help the craftsmen live their lives.

“Nicaragua is the second poorest nation in North America,” said Bobbi Jo Hasz, the Edgar High School Spanish teacher and Spanish Club advisor. “The economy is not good and the artisans there can’t sell their work. Here, in America, we can partner with them and return profits to help the artisans. The response we’ve had has been tremendous.”

Edgar High School is one of 300 schools in the United States that is participating in the Pulsera project.

The purses sold for $10; bracelets for $5.

“The money is a way for individuals who make these crafts to earn an income,” she said. “That helps with education, university scholarships, sustainable energy and workers’ rights.”

Edgar Spanish Club members said they were happy to do their part to help the Central American craftspeople.

“These are not the wealthiest people, but they have talent,” said Brooke Imhoff. “They have joy making these things.”

“It’s good to know we are helping people get an income and live comfortably,” said Rachel Schneider. “These people still have to work for a living, but we are giving them a platform for selling their crafts and earn an income.”

Hasz said the Edgar Spanish Club received 400 bracelets and 20 purses to sell. Leftover items will be shipped to another Pulsera school in the United States.