Last semester and this semester, I have had the privilege of working with SutiSana. Started by Cara Strauss, Sutisana is a business that hires woman who were previously trapped in the sex trafficking industry and trains them as artisans. In addition to receiving dignified employment, these women also receive counseling and childcare for their children. This holistic approach equips women to heal. As they move through the program, these women are given the opportunity to mentor and train other women in addition to being trained in business skills and financial literacy.
Sutisana specializes in selling high-quality leather and wool bags and accessories. While not explicitly Christian, this business operates on Christian principles and is driven by the call to love others as Jesus does and to do all things in excellence. Not only are they doing incredible, redemptive work, they are also working hard to provide the best quality products they can to their customers. Furthermore, SutiSana works hard to be environmentally friendly and to source their materials from Bolivia so that they can participate in bringing about greater economic stability.
I have been so inspired by this business and by the team behind it; they truly resemble Christ in how they strive to care for country, land, and people.
This is really cool! There are so many people in this world that have had severe trauma and to see a business that is using them to give them a new beginning is awesome. This outlet is definitely a way for them to take their minds away from that trauma and see that God has a plan for them.
Being someone else who worked with Sutisana last semester, they are truly a business who shows Christ’s love to the women in Bolivia. Cara is a woman of God who puts so much effort into this redemptive business! She is a great role model for the artisans.
That is awesome you got to work with them personally a few times! It seems like you learned so much about this incredible business and it’s so cool you were able to talk to her about it. I really love everything about their redemptive approach. I feel like this topic is something that isn’t talked about enough and it is so nice to see people trying to help this vulnerable group and help them in anyway possible. They offer as much as they possibly can to them and it is just so good to see.