A Taste of Mosqoy
August 19, 2019
YUMMY NEWS! We now have our very own Mosqoy Crepe on the menu at Crepería Backpacker La Bo'M! It's not only delicious - with dark chocolate, sea salt, and aguaymanto, but the proceeds support Mosqoy! Come visit La Boheme now to taste-test it with us!
New Catalogue
August 09, 2019
After months of hard work, we are beyond excited to share the Mosqoy Peruvian Textiles 2019 Collection! These innovative new products are of the highest quality. From redesigned favourites to brand new products - there truly is something for everybody in our new collection.
Each textile empowers women through financial independence. We nurture both the art and business of the textile, so that women can prioritize an autonomous and sustainable future for their children. Our products tell stories, connect generations of Quechua people, and build resilient communities across the Cusco region.
Check out our new catalogue here!
Happy Birthday To Us
July 22, 2019
Mosqoy turns 13 years old today! We're taking a moment to be grateful for everyone who has woven a textile, attended a field school, volunteered with us, or supported Mosqoy in any way - big or small. We've grown from a dream to an international NGO with two social enterprises and one charitable program. We are so proud of how far we've come - but there's more work to do and we can't wait to see what the next 13 years has in store for Mosqoy!
Humanist of the Year
April 30, 2019
Mosqoy's founder, Ashli Akins, was recently honoured alongside Lieutenant General Roméo Dallaire and author Ursula K. Le Guin, as Humanist of the Year. Check out this blog to read her acceptance speech!
Mosqoy Is Hiring!
March 06, 2019
We have added three new positions to our Work With Us Page! We are seeking someone who is organized, outgoing, able to work independently, and whose values align with our mission. If this sounds like you apply with us for a rewarding work experience!
DoDay
October 20, 2019
On DoDay, between 30-40 students from Huaran High School (Sacred Valley - Cusco - Peru) took part in DoDay in the morning. Students took part in workshops, in which they made aware of how important it is to keep their community clean and what everyone can do to reduce and refuse plastic. They also collected waste surrounding the High School. Students decided to launch a campaign on Facebook about how to carry out these proposals to reduce plastic.
In the afternoon, between 15-20 people from different tourism-related businesses and members of NGO took part in DoDay too. They took part in workshops, in which everyone could share their experiences as well as their concerns and challenges to reduce and refuse the use of plastic. Then, they decided to implement short-term actions to reduce impact on the environment in each organization and as a long-term action, of which we are very happy and proud, we decided to create “la Red por un Cusco Sostenible” (Network for a Sustainable Cusco) to help each other and collaborate in different actions to get a Sustainable Cusco.
Three-Year Stategic Plan Launch
October 01, 2018
Based on our new working model and multi-year restructuring process, we launch our new Three-Year Strategic Plan!
Booth at One Wave Gathering
September 15, 2018
On September 15th, Mosqoy will be selling textiles as part of the Pacific Peoples’ Partnership’s 11th Annual One Wave Gathering! This amazing event features local and global indigenous artists, with events ranging from dance, music, food gatherings, film, and fibre arts. To find out more information, visit their webpage here. We hope to see you at Centennial Square, from 11-5, on September 15th! Make sure to say hi!
Launch of a New Era
August 01, 2018
After over a year of visioning with both Boards of Directors, advisors, team members, community members, and program alumni, we launch a new era of Mosqoy! We shift to a simpler marketing strategy and a more financially viable model. In doing so, we legally dissolve the Q’ente Textile Revitalization Society and merge under one entity, Mosqoy, with two social enterprises: Mosqoy Peruvian Textiles and Mosqoy Field School, and one charitable program: the Mosqoy Youth Program.
Moving Offices
July 01, 2018
We move into our first real office in Cusco, Peru! We are part of the Ayni Center co-working space, which hosts like-minded organizations that are dedicated to socially and environmentally conscious missions.
Andrew Wallach Photography Exhibit
December 06, 2017
Andrew Wallach Photos will be hosting a photography exhibit and sale, starting this Saturday, December 9th, at Cafe Viva Peru in Huarán from 12:00-4:00PM. All of the proceeds will go towards Mosqoy and Casa Mantay, another local youth charity. Come out to take a look or purchase some lovely holiday gifts!
Music and Food at the Yew Tree
November 24, 2017
On the eve of November 24th at 7pm, come over to Yew Tree Yoga Studio in Cadboro Bay to support Mosqoy.
Entrance will be $10-20 sliding scale and ALL proceeds will go to Mosqoy, ensuring its valuable work can continue! Yew Tree Yoga Studio has generously offered their space at no cost to help our fundraising efforts reach their full potential.
The night's line-up will consist of some of Victoria's grooviest local musicians. Stay tuned for the schedule!
Environmental Studies Textile Fair
November 21, 2017
HAPPENING NOW! Last day of our Environmental Studies Textile Fair! Come check it out at UVic (David Turpin Building, ES wing). And we just got a new shipment from Peru THIS MORNING!
Mosqoy's Annual Environmental Studies Textile Fair
November 16, 2017
The perfect place to buy your holiday presents and winter wares! You'll find unique, fair-trade, hand-woven products made with alpaca wool and natural plant dyes. Everything from bracelets and wallets to scarves, toques, and table runners! 100% of the proceeds will go to Mosqoy.
Ollantaytambo's anniversary
November 15, 2017
Two weeks ago Mosqoy's students, alumni, family, and team walked in the parade to celebrate Ollantaytambo's anniversary.
Chai Vegan Restaurant Support
November 10, 2017
Chia Vegan Restaurant will now be offering 15% of the sales from their delicious coconut rolls dessert, in order to support Mosqoy and LAFF. Visit Chia on calle Tecsecocha for some delicious food, and help to support both organizations by ordering the coconut rolls!
Pub Quiz / Noche de Trivia
October 11, 2017
Mosqoy and LAFF have begun co-hosting a weekly Pub Quiz, every Wednesday at Indigo Bar on Calle Tecsecocha. Come and join us for a fun night of trivia, in both English and Spanish - testing not only your general Trivia knowledge, but also how much you've learned about Peruvian culture! We're offering a round of free drinks for the winners, raffle prizes, and some themed nights to come. The proceeds will help to support both organizations. So bring your teams or join one when you arrive!
Language Exchange / Intercambio de Idiomas
October 09, 2017
Beginning on the 9th of October, Mosqoy, in collaboration with the NGO, LAFF (Latin American for the Future) are organizing a weekly language exchange in Cusco, at Chia Restaurant on Calle Tecsecocha. It will be a great opportunity for tourists and locals to practice their language skills, meet new people, and share some delicious food. Proceeds from the events will help to support both organizations, as well as to provide a platform for people in the Cusco region to find out more about Mosqoy. Hope to see you there!
Fall Season Sale
September 25, 2017
It's time for our Fall Season Sale! Check out Mosqoy Peruvian Textiles on Etsy for sales of UP TO 40% OFF! The sale runs for one month, from September 25th to October 25th, so get your holiday shopping done early while supporting a great cause!
VIDEA's Fair-Trade Fair
November 25, 2017
On November 25th, find Mosqoy at VIDEA's annual fair-trade fair. We will be one of many fair-trade vendors selling beautiful hand-crafted items. This artisanal fair runs from 10am - 4pm at the Metropolitan United Church Hall, located on Balmoral Rd. in Victoria. For more information, check out our Events Calendar. We hope to see you there!
Fibrations 2017
August 20, 2017
The Fibrations Festival this year was a success! The day was packed with celebration and enthusiasm for the fibre arts. Mosqoy Peruvian Textiles had a booth among many other talented artists and were thrilled to be part of this vibrant community again.
Fibrations is an annual community-based celebration of fibre artists sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm through demonstrations and hands-on activities.
International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
August 09, 2017
Happy International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, from all of us at Mosqoy! May youth continue to have access to - and be inspired to learn - the rich traditional knowledge and wisdom of their elders.
A Summer of Picot Market
June 01, 2017
From the first Thursday in July to the last Thursday in August come down to the Picot Market in Fernwood Square between 4pm and 9pm if you want to learn about Mosqoy Peruvian Textiles, and to see all the other artisanal masterworks. We hope to see you there!
Mosqoy Music & Food Fundraiser
July 19, 2017
This fundraiser, hosted by one of our 2017 summer interns, Mike Graeme, was a night filled with excitement. The event consisted of rescued food from the Community Cabbage, uplifting music by four local bands, and a silent auction with ceramics, artwork, photographs, and jewelry. A HUGE thank you to the Yew Tree Yoga Studio and to all who came out!
Weavers' Conference
July 02, 2017
A big thank you to all those who came by to say hi to us at the Tread Lightly ANWG Northwest Weavers' Conference on June 30th to July 2nd! The Mosqoy booth was set up in the McKinnon Gymnasium at the University of Victoria alongside some of the finest textiles from all over the Northwest. It was a unique occurrence that the Association of Northwest Weavers' Guild (ANWG) took place in Victoria this year and quite an event it was.
Clayda Graduates from Khipu
June 27, 2017
We are so proud of Clayda, who graduated last week from Khipu with a Diploma in International Business Administration. Congratulations, Clayda! We wish you every success and happiness!
Estamos muy orgullosos de Clayda, quien se graduó la semana anterior de Khipu con una diploma de administración de negocios internacionales. Felicidades, Clayda! Te deseamos muchos éxitos y felicidad!
A New Casa Mosqoy
May 27, 2017
Casa Mosqoy has moved! We are now based in Wanchaq - closer to the centre of Cusco. We want to say a BIG thank you to everyone who helped us move! The whole team and the students worked so hard all day Saturday, May 27th, and we would not have been able to do it without their help. Thank you everyone!
Nos hemos mudado! Casa Mosqoy está en Wanchaq - más cerca del centro de Cusco. Mil gracias a todos que nos ayudaron! El equipo y los estudiantes trabajaron todo el día sábado 27 de mayo, y no hubiéramos podido hacerlo sin su ayuda. Muchas gracias!
New Products
April 27, 2017
We have a whole bunch of new items in our Etsy store, including: the SINKUY pillow case, the MAYU iPad case, the KUSIKUY wall hanging, the PHURU eye mask, and the T'IKA scarf!
A huge thank you goes out to Oliver Pablo Bambach, Diego Nishiyama Fotografía, and Sonya Radetsky for the beautiful product photos!
Decade of Dreams
November 25, 2016
Held at the Empress' Crystal Ballroom in Victoria, BC, we celebrated our 10th Year Anniversary with over 100 guests at "Decade of Dreams," featuring a four-course sustainable dinner, silent auction with over 40 local businesses, fair-trade textile sale, and keynote speech by Canadian author, Ronald Wright. Thank you so much to everyone who made this night a success - both guests and volunteers! It truly was a night to remember and raised funds for our charitable programs! What an amazing celebration to share with everyone.