Embera Bead Project History

The Embera Bead Project was established in November 2019 by missionaries Beth and Travis Burkhalter with a mission to empower indigenous men and women in Medellin to create and sell beautifully handcrafted jewelry. What began as a weekly workshop for Embera to make jewelry while sharing Bible stories and enjoying snacks quickly grew into a transformative community initiative.

In early 2020, Beth initiated a partnership with Real City Tours, allowing artisans to sell their creations to tourists, which provided vital income for ten families. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 posed significant challenges, but the project adapted and evolved.

Recognizing the need for support, Beth and Travis connected with Nick and Carisa Manderfield, leading to the project's affiliation with Fundacion Reincorporated NFP. This partnership was instrumental in developing a website for the Embera Bead Project, facilitating online sales and expanding its reach.

Throughout the pandemic, the project not only continued to support artisans but also engaged in humanitarian efforts, distributing food to hundreds of families. Despite limitations on meeting spaces, workshops continued in various locations, fostering collaboration with Corporacion Sueños y Huellas de la Manana and forming a strong community united in purpose.

In 2022, through extraordinary circumstances, the Embera Bead Project was gifted a building by the Mayor of Medellin, leading to the establishment of Casa Embera, a dedicated space for workshops and outreach.

As of late 2024, the project began to receive significant funding from Send Relief, ensuring sustainability and continued growth. Today, Casa Embera operates under Corporacion Sueños y Huellas, with ongoing support from Reincorporated NFP, contributing to social outreach, health workshops, and children's programs among the Embera people.

The Embera Bead Project stands as a testament to resilience, community empowerment, and the unwavering spirit of collaboration, creating new opportunities and enriching lives within the Embera community.

 

To learn more about Casa Embera, please click here.

How Can you help? By purchasing one of their handmade designs, hosting a Party in a Box, or donating to the Embera Bead Project, you can help fight poverty and restore hope for Embera families one bead at a time.