La Vida Verde, Inc. |
Don Bosco Furniture
Peru
These beautiful pieces were made in Peru by young artisans at the Don Bosco Cooperativa of Chacas (founded in 1979). The wood used is transported from lower-elevation Amazonian forests by river, pushing against the current, to the Cooperative at 12,500 ‘ in the Cordillera Blanca mountains. The artisans are likewise encouraged in their struggle to help maintain their growing local living economy. Once complete, the furniture is transported by campesinos (porters or mules) along narrow mountain trails to awaiting trucks 10,000’ below. Orphans or boys from the poorest families are chosen as apprentices for the Don Bosco Woodcarving School where manual work is considered more important than intellectual achievement. These boys are unable for economic reasons to enter state schools. Rather than attend no school at all, the organization provides them with unique handcrafting skill and experience. After many years of training, many of these boys become master carpenters involved in the Cooperative. The profits from sales of the furniture is returned not to the craftsmen who have previously been paid, but to the campesinos as charity for local drinking water projects, irrigation channels, and medical assistance. Each piece is signed by the individual carver. Father Hugo De Censi, Founder: |
 DB-SIDE Side table round with curved legs. 24"D x 18" H Shown in Walnut Designed by Michael Barker |