We would like to give an update on how our Building Lives International ministry in Nicaragua is doing. As many of you know, this ministry exists to empower artisans around the world through fair trade, scholarships, and building projects. The collective there has recently undergone some changes.
Exania, one of the artisans we brought to the United States, is working in South Carolina, and we are happy to announce that she just got married!
As we mentioned in one of our earlier blogs, we also brought our director who was overseeing the collective in Estelí to the United States. As a result, we had to make some changes. Instead of having one group, we now have two. The first is led by Osmara Isabel Molina, and this group oversees all of the jewelry that is crocheted and macramé. The second group is led by Esther Herrera, who has been working with us for three years now. This group handles all of the wire-wrapped jewelry.
In addition to Osmara and Esther, we have added some new artisans! Chelsy Michelle Katin Ramírez will be working with Osmara's group and will be attending university next year, and Marlen Isabella Ramírez will also be working with Osmara and will be starting high school next year. We have also added Josué Lagos and Bessi Rodríguez to Esther's group. Josué will be attending university this year, studying systems engineering, and Bessi will be attending to become an elementary teacher. We are so excited to have these new artisans in the collective and to be able to help them toward their educational goals.
This year will also be the first time that we are giving scholarships to artisans in the United States. Sara Tanjala, who has been working with us for six years, will be attending Co-Starters, which is a local entrepreneur training course here in Lynchburg, in the fall. Sarita, as we call her, is definitely entrepreneur material, and we are very excited for her.
Finally, our desire is to continue empowering artisans through fair trade around the world. We are in awe of how the Lord has blessed our ministry, and we want to say thank you to our valued customers for helping us make this possible.