"Pulseros" or wrist bands, are produced in reasonable quantities by many women around the pueblos of Lima. The women are provided the material, and then paid about 25 cents for each wrist band produced. The wrist bands are then taken by those who provide the women with the material and sold to tourists on the wealthy side of the city for anywhere between $2.00 and $5.00. This is nothing short of exploitation. With funds initially provided through the Diocese of Ballarat, we have been able to buy the product directly from the women at its market value, and then sell them here in Australia for that same amount. This has resulted in "cutting out the middle man", thus enabling the women to receive sufficient money to be able to buy their own materials and therefore sell directly to the tourists themselves.
Rocky Oliver, a student from St. Joseph's College, Mildura, shows off one of the pulseros that he was selling to other students during Mercy Week at the College. The students ran an awareness campaign with the slogan, "We don't want your charity, we want justice", and raised over $400.00.
Students of St. Paul's Primary School, Mildura, organised a Sports Day to raise funds for The Shared Table, also selling a good number of pulseros to raise around $700.00.
Joining in some of the action of the sports day.
A wonderful united effort from St. Paul's.
