This document is a merchandise catalog for products made by cooperatives supported by Fabretto Children's Foundation in Nicaragua. It includes jewelry, baskets, coffee, woodwork, and more made by artisans. Purchasing these products provides income to families and communities, helping children access education. Stories of artisans like Maura describe how cooperatives empower women and youth. Overall, the catalog aims to connect consumers to artisans in Nicaragua and support Fabretto's mission of empowering children through economic opportunities for their families.

1. MERCHANDISE CATALOG
Supporting Cooperatives for a Better Future

2. Artisan collecting pine needles in San José de Cusmapa

3. Fabretto Children’s Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to empower
children and their families in Nicaragua to reach their full potential, improve their livelihoods, and take
advantage of economic opportunity through education and nutrition.
Fabretto believes that helping families and communities to improve their quality of life is essential
to building a better future for children in Nicaragua. Fabretto supports local cooperatives by finding
buyers and linking to markets, primarily in the United States and in Nicaragua. In addition, Fabretto
offers educational opportunities to help small businesses and cooperatives grow and thrive, thus
improving the economic conditions for children and their families in target communities.
In this catalog, you will find a selection of products offered by the Nicaraguan cooperatives with
which Fabretto works, including jewelry, ornaments, baskets, coffee, and more. You will also have the
opportunity to read about the artisans and farmers whom your purchases support.
Introduction
100+
WOMEN
now earn a steady
INCOME
$110,000SALES IN 2014
..............................................................................................
FABRETTO’S IMPACT
Reflects total impact of Fabretto cooperatives as a whole
About Fabretto
For over 60 years, Fabretto has brought hope
and opportunity to underserved urban and
rural communities throughout Nicaragua.
Fabretto offers five key programs that respond
to community needs and create sustainable
positive change: Early & Primary Education;
Secondary Education; Food Security & Nutrition;
Vocational Education; and Community Well-being
& Development. Today, Fabretto’s programs
benefits approximately 19,000 children and youth
at Fabretto Education Centers and at more than
250 public schools.

4. The Nica HOPE Cooperative
I
n 2008, Deanna Ford founded the Nica HOPE
Project as an education and vocational training
program to enable children and youth to receive
an education while providing alternative sources
of income and skills training. The project targeted
families that lived and worked in the municipal
trash dump of Managua, known as “La Chureca,”
where children often dropped out of school to
work and earn little more than two dollars a day.
After the dump’s closure in 2011, families
relocated to the Acahualinca and Villa Guadalupe
neighborhoods. These communities remain
extremely vulnerable, and families continue to
face chronic malnutrition, poor health, and few
educational and economic opportunities.
Today, Fabretto’s Education Center in Acahualinca
and the Nica HOPE Project support over 2,500
children and young adults with education,
nutrition, and vocational programs.
In 2012, after four years of developing business
and technical skills, the artisans of the Nica
HOPE Project established their own Nica HOPE
Cooperative, becoming collective owners of the
business. The cooperative continues to develop
with consistent in-country and international sales,
attendance at local fairs, and exchange programs
with other cooperatives in Central America.
Nica HOPE currently has 20 members, and
students at Fabretto’s Education Center are also
involved in creating jewelry through after-school
programs. In 2014, Nica HOPE produced over
10,000 pieces of jewelry.
The cooperative has a direct impact on the lives
of youth and women in the community, allowing
them to earn a living with dignity and improve
their families’ living conditions.

5. Maura’s
Story
With the Nica HOPE cooperative, artisan Maura has developed
the confidence and skills she needs to reach a better future. Here,
Maura models the Bird’s Nest Set in robin’s egg blue.
This hard-working mom of three has overcome incredible
challenges, from her childhood in a rural village to struggling to
support her daughter as a young adult in Acahualinca. Three years
ago, her life changed when she joined the Fabretto community
and found a path to economic opportunity through the Nica HOPE
cooperative.
While her daughter attended Fabretto’s enrichment classes, Maura
took jewelry making classes through the Nica HOPE project. Today,
Maura has grown into a committed member of the cooperative and
earns an income through producing and selling jewelry.
With this financial security, Maura has been able to pursue her
passion: teaching. “Since I was 6 years old, I have always dreamed
of being a teacher,” she said. “Teaching is a calling.” Her dream is
coming true. With a Fabretto scholarship, she is earning a teaching
degree while working as an enrichment teacher in her community.
For Maura, her success means a better future for her children. “I
want to show my children who their mother can be,” Maura said.
“With Fabretto, I have been growing while my children grow too.
They are proud of me.”
Bird’s Nest - Necklace & Earrings Set

6. Jewelry
The Nica HOPE Cooperative produces a wide range of beautiful jewelry, ornaments, and more.
Each piece is hand-crafted by the artisans. To see the cooperative’s most recent designs, please
visit fabretto.donorshops.com.
Thin Wire Bangle
Available in periwinkle, red and crystal
Zig Zag Earrings Spiral Ring
Mallory Necklace - Amber
Visit our website for more colors options
Cross Pendant Necklace

7. Triple Wrap Bracelet
Available in sea blue, red and mint green
Single Bead Macrame Bracelet
Turquoise Macrame Bracelet HOPE Macrame Bracelets
Sunflower Macrame Bracelet
Artisan Juan Francisco models a macramé bracelet in
bright colors. Juan has participated in Fabretto’s programs
his entire life. Today, he’s an active member of the
cooperative and studies Business Administration at a local
university.
Macramé
Bracelets

8. Recycled Jewelry
Featured Products
Stacking Bracelets
Nica HOPE artisan Linda shows off the cooperative’s new Stacking
Bracelets.
Linda, who lives in Acahualinca, is one of the newest members of the
Nica HOPE Cooperative. With support from Fabretto’s programs, she
has developed skills in the arts and stands out for her creativity. In
addition to jewelry making, she also enjoys visual arts.
Each Stacking Bracelet features beaded charms with spiral detailing.
With five color options, you can mix and match to express your
individual style, or switch it up to complement different outfits.
With these creative upcycled designs, the Nica HOPE
Cooperative turns trash into beautiful, wearable treasures.
Recycled Pop Tab Bracelets
Recycled Leaf EarringsRecycled Flower Earrings
Paper Jewelry

9. Orquidea, age 17, is one of the youngest artisans in the Nica HOPE
cooperative. She has already shown her entreprenurial spirit and
great dedication to her work. Here, she is modeling the Mother of
Pearl Pendant Necklace.
Orquidea’s
Story
With support from Fabretto’s programs and the Nica HOPE
Cooperative, Orquidea is transforming her life. At first glance,
Orquidea may seem like a shy teenage girl, but when we sat down
to interview her, her self confidence shone through. She was
excited to tell us all about her experiences and achievements in
the cooperative with Fabretto’s support. In her own words:
“Two years ago, I was enrolled in computer classes through
Fabretto’s vocational education program at the San Francisco
Center. I began participating in the jewelry workshops, and I didn’t
hesitate for a second to become a member of the Nica HOPE
cooperative, which was forming at that time.
Today, I’m a legal member and speaker in the cooperative. I’m also
in my first year of the university majoring in Journalism, and thanks
to the income I earn with our business, I can cover my university
expenses.
I’m still pretty young, but I think up to this point, I can say that I’ve
learned to fight to achieve my goals, and I’ve been successful.”

10. The Nica HOPE Cooperative produces wire wrapped ornaments for holidays and for decorating the home. To see more styles and colors of ornaments
and crosses, please visit fabretto.donorshops.com.
Ornaments
Crosses
These gorgeous wire crosses
are made with a thick alpaca
wire base and wrapped with
hundreds of natural stone
chips. The 5” size makes this
cross perfect to hang on the
wall or to give as a gift to a
loved one.
Christmas Tree Snowflake Dove Heart of GoldRed and Pink Hearts

11. Through the Nica HOPE Project, children and
youth have the opportunity to learn jewelry making
techniques and other vocational skills.

12. Cusmapa Women’s
Basket Cooperative
In 2002, Fabretto helped start the Pine
Needle Basket initiative, which is now a
legally incorporated, self-standing and
successful cooperative made up of women
from Cusmapa and the surrounding rural
communities.
The cooperative’s story began when five
local women started working with a Fabretto/
JVI volunteer, Manon Cypher, to learn the
traditional art of creating pine needle baskets.
In this remote mountain village, women often
have little education, few marketable skills,
and even fewer opportunities for gainful
employment. As the women developed their
craft, Fabretto helped them market and sell the
baskets as a source of income to support their
families.
Today, the cooperative has flourished
into a thriving, independent business with
steady national and international sales. The
cooperative allows the women flexibility to
work on their own schedule and earn based
on their personal production, often two to
three times more than a typical local salary.
Through the cooperative, women have
developed leadership skills, confidence, and
pride in their abilities as artisans.
To purchase baskets, please visit
fabretto.donorshops.com.

13. Multicolor Coasters (available in variety of color options).
A unique addition to your home that is sure to impress any guest.
Spiral Pine Bracelet - Blue Thread
Artisans in the Women’s Basket Cooperative in the mountains of
San José de Cusmapa

14. BASKETS
Rectangle Basket
Multicolor Twist BasketRainbow Spiral Basket
Jewelry Box Mini Basket

15. Pencil Holder
Trivet
Round Basket with Border
Bread Basket
Basket with Handles
Basket with Twisted Border

16. Maria Teresa
Basket Cooperative Administrator
“When you purchase our
products, you are helping
entire families as well as the
development of our community.”
Maria Teresa, member of the Cusmapa Women’s Basket
Maria Teresa was born in San Jose de Cusmapa, Nicaragua and
has lived there her entire life. She has been involved with the
Cooperative for 10 years, working in quality control for the first
nine, and recently taking on the position of administrator. When
she started with the cooperative, she had only her third year of
high school but was able to attend evening classes and in 2008,
finished high school. Since then, she has gone onto receive a
technical certificate in accounting.
When asked what she likes most about being a part of the
cooperative, Maria Teresa replies: “I like working with other
women; spending time together, growing closer, and looking
for solutions to our problems at home.” She uses her income to
purchase her school uniforms, notebooks, and other supplies for
her two daughters.

17. Pine Earrings
Pine Star Ornaments

18. 5 de Junio Cooperative
The 5 de Junio Cooperative provides 300
coffee farmers from the northern mountains
of Nicaragua with access to markets and
training. The small towns in this region are
nestled among rolling mountains with a cool
climate ideal for growing coffee, but lack of
opportunity and historical struggles have led
to high levels of poverty, with most families
surviving on less than two dollars a day. The
cooperative generates opportunities for small
farmers to break the cycle of chronic poverty in
their communities by producing and selling high
quality coffee.
Since 2006, Fabretto has worked with the
cooperative to improve profits for families in
the region by selling the high quality coffee
to U.S. clients. In addition, Fabretto provides
local children and youth with access to quality
primary, secondary, and vocational education
programs. Fabretto and the cooperative have
collaborated to create the School Grounds
Coffee brand, and, with the help of partner
Mayorga Organics, sell the coffee online.
Proceeds from sales benefit local education
programs and community development.
To purchase coffee, please visit fabretto.
donorshops.com.
Ground and whole bean coffee is available for purchase.
Fabretto offers discounts for bulk purchases.
Please e-mail orders@fabretto.org for more information.

19. Gisella’s Story
Gisella Hoyes is a grandmother of three and a founding member
of the 5 de Junio Cooperative who grows coffee on 3.5 acres
of land in Las Sabanas, Nicaragua. From the beginning, Gisella
believed in the possibilities that the cooperative would bring to
her community. She recalls, “Before, we were working alone. I
said, the cooperative will help us advance and help us support
each other. We [the farmers] are organized now. The cooperative
is a respected, prestigious organization.”
Through the cooperative, Gisella has increased profits, accessed
new markets, obtained fair trade certification, and received
training in organic cultivation. Her family has benefitted as
well; her children and siblings are also members, and her
three grandchildren receive support from Fabretto’s education
programs. With the cooperative on her side, Gisella has been
empowered to support her family as they continue to move toward
a better future.
5 DE JUNIO COOPERATIVE MEMBER

20. Carpentry Program
The carpentry program was one of Fabretto’s
first initiatives to empower youth in San José de
Cusmapa, a rural village in northern Nicaragua.
In 1996, the carpentry workshop opened at
Fabretto’s Education Center. This program has
two goals: first, to teach youth carpentry skills,
and second, to generate income and economic
opportunity for youth and families in Cusmapa.
At the workshop, youth receive training in
building furniture, creating small wood pieces,
and other woodworking techniques. This
training helps them to create quality products
from pine, the most common tree in Cusmapa.
To ensure that youth are prepared to take
advantage of economic opportunity, Fabretto
also provides instruction in entrepreneurship
and small business development.
To help the carpentry program grow its sales,
Fabretto has developed partnerships with
international clients, such as the non-profit
organization Feed My Starving Children, to
facilitate bulk sales. In addition, carpentry
products are available for purchase in Fabretto’s
online store, fabretto.donorshops.com

21. Flower Hook
Jonah and the Whale Puzzle
Creche PuzzleNoah’s Ark Puzzle

22. Other Products
& Cooperatives
Fabretto continues to actively search for new
opportunities to empower youth and their
families to improve their livelihoods. In recent
years, Fabretto’s Rural Secondary Education
program (called SAT) has focused on teaching
youth about entrepreneurship, business
development, and sustainable agriculture.
The SAT Program’s philosophy is founded
on “learning by doing,” and students are
encouraged to put their knowledge into practice
by forming small businesses or agricultural
projects. To support their activities, the students
have formed two SAT Student Cooperatives,
which manage and distribute micro-loans. As a
result, Fabretto students have established more
than 100 income-generating initiatives over
the past several years.
To support community development and
promote “learning by earning,” Fabretto
connects youth and their families with socially-
conscious corporate partners, such as Burke
Agro and Mayorga Organics. Through these
partnerships, farmers receive training in
sustainable methods of cultivation and increase
their income by selling high quality products
for export. As a result, rural families are able
to improve their quality of life and contribute
to the socio-economic development of their
communities. Products sold include honey, dried
tropical fruits, and organic chia. To learn more
about purchasing these products or forming a
partnership with Fabretto, please contact
orders@fabretto.org.

23. Organic Chia Seeds
Honey Dried Tropical Fruits Fabretto SAT Student

24. 24
THANK YOU
Many thanks to our photographer, Jakub Okon
Visit our online shop
at www.fabretto.org