The Montecristi Foundation, Inc.: A non-profit, private operating foundation: Summary
“And maybe what’s good gets a little bit better,
and maybe what’s bad gets gone.”
It Goes Like It Goes Oscar-winning song from Norma Rae
Some things we do to try to make things a little better, instead of letting them get a little worse:
Medical Care—When we first began to provide free medical care to the village ten years ago, ours was the only medical care available in the village. (with The Panama Hat Company of the Pacific, Inc.)
Safety Masks for Weavers—Sulfur powder must be used to make genuine Montecristi hats. But the caustic fumes are hazardous to breathe. The Foundation has provided free safety masks to the weavers of Pile.
Blood Tests—When CBS News visited in April 2007, we were drawing blood so that lab tests could be run in town, yielding data to help diagnose and treat the weavers and their families.
Eye Exams—In November 2006, we funded eye exams and glasses for weavers and their families. Being able to see what they are doing might be useful to weavers.
Denomination of Origin—We have been paying attorneys and filing motions for years in order to win official protection for “Montecristi” as a Denomination of Origin for hand-woven hats, just as “Bordeaux” is protected for wines. The Ecuadorian government has awarded the requested protection, and it has been endorsed by the World Intellectual Property Organization of the United Nations. Yes! (with The Panama Hat Company of the Pacific, Inc.)
In addition to supporting the Foundation, The Panama Hat Company of the Pacific, Inc. also tries to make what’s good a little bit better for the artisans and their families in Ecuador.
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Text and photos © 1988-2011, B. Brent Black. All rights reserved.
