Building Community through Ceramic Workshops in Tempate and Potrero

Over the past six weeks, Finca La Estancia has been actively shaping and guiding a new community initiative: ceramic workshops in Tempate. The idea was born when Lucas, our Head of Collective Impact at Las Catalinas, met a professional ceramist from Belgium, who dreamed of sharing her craft with the local community. Together they reached out to the  Association for Integral Development of Tempate (commonly referred to as ADI in Spanish), secured the Tempate's community hall, set the schedule, and launched the first sessions.

Finca La Estancia, has been present at every class, bringing the materials and ensuring the workshops run smoothly, and the response from the community has been inspiring. Last week, 32 participants including women, children, and youth, came together to learn, create, and share. What started as an idea has become a lively gethering. 

The goals are meaningful: to offer a therapeutic activity, to spark creativity and even professional inspiration, showing participants that working with ceramics could become either a career path or a hobby. The workshops also give children a positive afternoon pastime, keeping them engaged in a safe environment and enriching experiences. With a preventative outlook, the program provides constructive alternatives that help steer participants away from challenging circumstances.

Starting this week, the sessions will move to Thursdays so that participants can bring their creations to the weekly Flamingo market. Selling their work will help fund materials and generate income for the makers, paving the way for long-term sustainability.

The program is also expanding. Just a few days ago, the first workshop was held at Abriendo Mentes in Potrero, welcoming 18 women. 

There is no set end date. As Lucas from Finca La Estancia explains: "The hope is not to own the project but to plant seeds, so that with time, the workshops can continue to flourish independently, led by the ceramist and supported by the community itself."

It is difficult to measure the true impact of these workshops in the community, as we believe it goes beyond what we can imagine. Learning a new skill is not only a window for creative expression that strengthens self-esteem and supports mental well-being, but it can also become an alternative source of income. The benefits extend far beyond each individual participant, multiplying as they support their families and, ultimately, enrich the wider community.

We share this news with joy, knowing that when you are part of Town, you are also part of these efforts. With Finca La Estancia leading the way, we are grateful for their dedication in creating opportunities for the community. It is an honor to be building something meaningful together.