|
|
Ours is a louisiana company with a social mission: To help the poorest of
The poor to compete among the best. Our commitment is to help heads of
Families in EL zamorano, one of the poorest regions in honduras(itself one of
The poorest countries in the continent), to market their skills and crafts in
The united states and worldwide. We believe that louisiana's multi-cultural background places us in a unique position to communicate with honduras and share america's entrepenurial spirit, self reliance, values, and business
Know-how. We have found in honduras kindred spirits, willing to embrace
Any opportunity to better themselves and their families. We are proud and
Grateful for america's blessings, and we also treasure honduras' gifts of
Family values, social responsibility, and sacrifice for their children. We
Believe that by partnering with them, we take their own work ethics and
Bring them to a competitive level. We do not do charitable work, we rather
Make sure that they obtain the graces of hard work: We partner with our
Honduran fellows so their work is fruitful.
Barbara vroon-romero is a louisiana native and the head of the catrachos
Footwear project. In 2001, during one of her visits to EL zamorano,
She learned of the needs of the locals to learn a skill and make a living. Also, the shanty schoolhouse was in desperate need of books and basic supplies.
Barbara teamed with local teacher, juan bautiste gomez, and the national trade school, infop, to teach the locals how to make the sandals. An instructor was sent to the remote village, and for 5 weeks, morning and afternoon classes were held, due to the number of eager respondents. The name catrachos was chosen for the followers of general florencio xatruch, who would become known as such during the wars of liberation of honduras. A century and a half later, barbara, herself a descendant of general xatruch, rejoined her roots and re-established the fellowship in a new battle, the fight for the betterment of the village of EL zamorano. Catrachos footwear are weaved in a town and family atmosphere. Each sandal is weaved with oral history, the dreams of a maid who is about to get married, the newlyweds who will soon have their first child, or the stories of the elder who will meet her first grandchild today.
Catrachos footwear are more than handcrafted sandals:
They are a fellowship of oral history. Please wear them and talk about them; talk about us and our town: A new wedding will take place, a new child will be born, a new future will bloom thanks to your choice of catrachos: Our fellowship.
|