The University of Mary Washington student-run business, Esfuerzo de Amor, launched an online platform to sell its products on Friday, Nov. 9. The site is the result of the combined efforts of senior Aaron Leung, UMW’s Center for Economic Development and the UMW Bookstore. Esfuerzo de Amor is run by La Ceiba MFI. The business sells its products, which are made by women in two communities in Honduras, in UMW’s bookstore and at Heritage Gifts in downtown Fredericksburg. Artisans from La Brisas and Villa Soleada craft the clutches from recycled chip bags and soda labels they find littering the area. The project, which originated in 2008, was started by UMW student Rachel Mason. Mason taught women in Siete de Abril to make the clutches; now the artisans also create bracelets, earrings, hairbands, key chains and more. The project started as a way to decrease the amount of trash burned in the streets, but has evolved into a way to help women in poverty. Seventy percent of the … [Read more...]