El Salvador Good Shepherd

These vibrantly painted artistic expressions of the Christian Faith are handmade in La Palma, El Salvador. After years of civil war in El Salvador, the women and children who have been most affected by the conflict continue to suffer in sweatshops. Families in La Palma have found an alternative to unfair labour regimes through the creation of beautiful crosses & plaques. Through this craft, women can work in their rural homes and also care for their families. Each piece contains birds, flowers, animals and adobe houses: symbols from the everyday life of the artists. Each piece is made from renewable pine, showing a commitment to changing not only lives but also to reducing the environmental impact of production. Children and adults alike love these beautiful works of art, and they are widely bought by schools, parents, retreat leaders and participants, and Catechists. Not only are these beautifully handcrafted crosses and plaques made from responsibly sourced pine, and by ethically treated workers; the income generated has already drastically improved the lives of those living in La Palma by enabling them to build secure houses and pipe fresh water into the village.

• 12 cm x 9.5 cm