Our Story
Who We Support
Pulseras
School Sales
Photo/Video
Student Trips
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a pulsera?
"Pulsera" is the Spanish word for bracelet.
What is the Pulsera Project?
The Pulsera Project is a 501 c3 non-profit organization that was born in 2009 to enrich the lives of Nicaraguan and U.S. youths. We partner with students in the U.S. to sell colorful handwoven pulseras made by young Nicaraguan artisans. Pulsera sales create sustainable employment opportunities for 25 members of the project's artisans' cooperative, and provide work for many families from the Masaya region of Nicaragua.
All proceeds from pulsera sales fund programs that support the pulsera co-op, their communities, the "Sí a la Vida" shelter for teens rescued from Nicaragua's streets, and educational programs in the US. By helping Nicaraguans create a marketplace for their art in the United States, U.S. students dramatically expand economic opportunities for many Nicaraguans but also learn about life in Nicaragua and often begin to see themselves and their own culture in a new light. In short, the Pulsera Project encourages cultural exchange that enriches and colors the lives of both U.S. and Nicaraguan students.
Twice each year, Pulsera Project student volunteers travel to Nicaragua to deliver funds raised by pulsera sales and to work on projects started by previous groups. Students pay their own trip expenses.
Are donations to the Pulsera Project tax deductible?
Yes, we are a registered U.S. non-profit organization.The Pulsera Project is a volunteer effort with the sole exception of two small staff salaries in the U.S and two in Nicaragua that allow the project to continue enriching the lives of Nicaraguan and U.S. youths. The members of the Board of Directors of the Pulsera Project are: Christopher Crane, Susan Patterson, Colin Patterson Crane, Joan Dukovic (Coatesville, PA teacher), and Barbara Wilson (Coatesville teacher).
Does the Pulsera Project have any religious affliliation?
Nope, the Pulsera Project has no religious affiliation.
How much do pulseras cost?
All Pulsera Project pulseras cost only $5.00!
I'm in love with these pulseras! Where can I buy one?
Pulseras are now available at more than 170 schools that sponsor Pulsera Project sales.
You can also buy a selection of five pulseras (complete with a colorful handwritten note, hand-painted envelope, and a DVD with all of the Pulsera Project's short videos!) online here .
Who makes the pulseras?
Pulseras are made by two main groups: Nicaraguan youths and Nicaraguan families.
About 25 youths who live at the "Si a la Vida" shelter make pulseras, but they must be 14 years old to make them for the Pulsera Project. (Fourteen years of age is a United Nations and World Fair Trade minimum age standard). Pulsera making is optional for all youths.There are arts and crafts programs within the Sí a la Vida shelters to teach younger children the art of pulsera making so that many become masters while still quite young.
Twenty-two young artisans who graduated from shelters for street kids comprise the Pulsera Project's fair-trade artisan cooperative based in Granada, including 4 young women. Members meet twice monthly to sell pulseras, share experiences, and vote on co-op matters. The cooperative provides scholarships for all who wish to continue study at universities or technical schools. The co-op also provides interest free loans for all members.
About a third of the Pulsera Project's pulseras come from seven extended families that were making many different styles of pulseras in the Masaya marketplace long before we discovered Nicaragua. Many of the family members have become our close friends and we visit them several times a year. As the Pulsera Project grows, more families will be helped by the Project. The families receive fair market value for their pulseras in Nicaragua. After we sell their pulseras in the United States, the profit returns to Nicaragua to benefit programs that empower young Nicaraguans.
How big is the Pulsera Project? How many pulseras have been sold?
In 2009 we started selling pulseras at one Pennsylvania school and out of our backpacks to friends & family. Since then, U.S. student volunteers in more than 170 schools have sold roughly 70,000 pulseras and have raised more than $300,000 dollars for our Nicaraguan friends. In coming months, proceeds from recent sales will reach Nicaragua and will expand and extend projects that we've already begun.
What do you do with the pulsera sale proceeds?
Most pulsera sale proceeds to date have benefited the roughly 300 kids of the Los Quincho and Sí a la Vida shelters. We have donated tens of thousands of dollars for food, clothing, medicine, books, sports equipment, school uniforms, a reforestation project, construction materials and countless other things. Our student crew worked to restore an abandoned farm building into a library. We've paid for renovation of the electrical system at the girls compound, financed a water tank system at La Chureca, bought appliances and school uniforms, built tables, benches and bookshelves. We've paid for tents and field trips, flashlights and computers, trees and livestock, paint and roofing repairs. Through pulsera sales, U.S. students have washed waves of change over the Los Quinchos and Sí a la Vida worlds. As of August, 2011, aid that once went directly to Los Quinchos is now used to support and empower the Los Quinchos "graduates" who now are members of the pulsera co-op. Many of these young people also have their own grass roots community development projects which we support as well.
Like all small organizations, we have to buy paper, ink, postage and other basic necessities. And, this summer for the first time, our previously all volunteer project hired its first two employees - Chris Howell and Colin Crane, who have been volunteering for the project since its beginning, and who both graduated from college last spring. Their duties include handling more than 170 school sales, respresenting the project at many conferences and fairs, while also handling regular duties like updating the website and facebook pages. They are also responsible for managing the project's work in Nicaragua and assuring that project funding is effectively spent.
How can I get involved?
We LOVE to get e-mails from students or staff asking how to get involved!! It's easy!! First, learn all you can about the Project here and on our Facebook Page. Read the stories. Check out the pictures. Especially check out the School Sales link and read the Student Guide. After you read them, you'll know what to do. Send us an e-mail that says "I'm in".
If you ever have a question, we'll answer in a snap. Send an e-mail, FB message, text, or call us. Just head to the contact page.
How can I travel with the Pulsera Project? How much does it cost?
Anyone who has volunteered for the Pulsera Project through school sales can travel with us. Sometimes friends of volunteers are also invited.
Groups usually consist of 12 - 15 volunteers. Typical trip costs inside Nicaragua are about $800 for 10 days and cover pretty much everything. Airfare is additional. Roundtrip airfare from Baltimore or Philadelphia is typically $700. Trips dates are roughly Dec. 27th to Jan. 7th and July 18th to 28th. Alternative Spring Break trips may also be planned. Students volunteering abroad often raise funds from family and friends who support their volunteer efforts.
