Las Chip Bag Ladies

More Than a House

3 Mexican women pose with their pile of small purses made of chip bags

“Las Chip Bag Ladies” is a collective of four women, and an example of how Esperanza’s impact extends beyond simply building homes.  Maru, Nico, Oli, and Francis first met during their weekly Esperanza community savings group meetings. Their goal was to save money to build a safe and dignified home, what they built extended far beyond this…

In 2004, Esperanza offered a workshop teaching them to make cool purses out of discarded chip bags and they loved it. Soon Esperanza Volunteers from all over the United States were requesting their creations. Volunteers would save and collect the discarded chip bags and The Chip Bag Ladies would make custom purses upon request. They each use their earnings to pay school fees for their children.

Since starting the group, they have been invited to teach and share their story all over Baja California and other states of Mexico. In 2012 they traveled to the state of Sonora to lead a 2 week workshop with 35 women. They are regularly invited to environmental fairs and Tijuana schools to lead workshops about recycling for kids.

Oli

Oli says that her favorite part of teaching is “seeing how excited the community gets when they realize that can transform their trash”, and when she “sees people excited to pick up trash in their neighborhoods”. She says her favorite part of being part of the collective is that it allows her to earn money for herself while working from her Esperanza home with friends.

Want to support Las Chip Bag Ladies?

  • Invite Las Chip Bag Ladies to come teach your volunteer group as one of your activities
  • Buy a cool purse for yourself and a friend
  • Collect your used coffee & chip bags and drop them off at Posada Esperanza
Handmade chip bags of various sizes and bright colors