Handmade Wool Sling Bag, "Andean Dream"

The Maldonado's hometown, Hualhuas, is a renowned textile center. It is there that Faustino and his wife learned to weave from their parents, who learned from their parents before them. The Maldonado family motto defines what it means to be a Keeper of the Arts — "I will never let go of either my grandfather or grandson's hands, for what I have learned from the elders, I will teach to the young."

Faustino truly understands the meaning of community. He feels a great responsibility for his assistants. He knows that, without their wages, his workers would be unable to care for their families. Novica sales have brought stability to the Maldonado Family workshop. they are no longer dependent upon tourism and can now meet their monthly expenses.

The steady income that Novica sales bring have enabled the Maldonado Family to expand their workshop. They are now one of the largest workshops in Hualhuas and this has led to an increase in the income they receive from tourism. In addition to their two full-time employees they are able to give seasonal work to other artisans.

Faustino Maldonado began working as a boy with his parents and grandparents. Today, his family workshop has grown and he has greatly expanded his design collection. As a result, he is able to provide work to neighbors who are weavers.

Maldonado Family has received 7 microcredit loans with 0% interest from Kiva and Novica, the first for $2300 and the most recent for $2850. Proceeds were used to purchase alpaca wool and sheep wool for his weavings.

The family elder, Faustino struggles to manage his diabetes. He follows a special diet and undergoes ongoing treatment. However he brings his weaving expertise to the family workshop he founded as a young man.

Faustino and the Maldonado Family workshop have been featured in many publications, among them El Comercio in which Faustino was shown alongside former Peruvian President, Fernando Belaunde.

During times of high demand for his weavings, Faustino hires temporary workers. He has employed several blind artisans who excel at hand spinning.

Faustino helps his son and daughter pay for the education of their children.