Melva

Melva is one of the most recent artisans to have joined Chimuk. She was born in Cajamarca and lived there until she was 10 years old, then moved to Trujillo. At 18 she moved from Trujillo to Lima, at 20 years old she got married in Lima, and lived there for another 10 years. At 30 years, she moved back o Trujillo and hasn't left for the past 40 years. She is the mother of 7 children.

When asked 'when did you learn to knit', she let out a laugh and a smile and said "here!" Melva knit as a hobby before, but since joining Chimuk she has learned much more.

In her free time, she enjoys coming to Cesapu and knitting. She is a Jehovah's witness, and spends the majority of her time spreading her faith.

Before retiring, her husband worked as a motor engineer. Melva has always been an 'ama de casa' or housewife. This is the first time she is earning her own money.