🌎 Voices@Alive | One Thread Collective — Empowering Women, Preserving Culture

On Friday, 7 August, Voices@Alive welcomed Megan Battaglia, Co-founder of One Thread Collective Australia, and Eleanora (Kincha) Montejo Lyall, Support Staff, for a meaningful conversation about the work being done alongside Indigenous Wayuu women in La Guajira, Colombia.

Our conversation went far beyond the beautiful mochilas and textiles for which the Wayuu are known. We explored how every woven piece carries ancestral knowledge, cultural identity, creativity and the story of the woman who created it. Wayuu mochilas are handmade by Indigenous artisans and reflect both the culture and landscapes of La Guajira.

For many women, weaving also provides an essential opportunity to earn an income and support their families. One Thread Collective combines fair-trade work with business training, women's leadership development and investment in community-led projects. Its model supports more than 100 Wayuu artisans, with funds from purchases also contributing to women's empowerment programs and projects designed by the communities themselves.

What makes this work particularly meaningful is the belief that lasting change should come from within the community. It is not simply about selling a beautiful handmade product; it is about recognising the women behind it, valuing their skills fairly and creating opportunities for women to strengthen their own futures while keeping their cultural traditions alive.

This conversation was a powerful reminder that when we empower a woman, the impact can reach her family, her community and future generations. And when we value Indigenous art, we also honour the history, knowledge and identity woven into every piece.

Thank you, Megan and Eleanora (Kincha), for joining me and sharing this important story with our listeners.

🎙️ Voices@Alive — Many Cultures, One Voice.
📻 Fridays, 1–2 PM on Alive 90.5 FM. The program celebrates multicultural Australia through interviews, storytelling and community connection.

One Thread Collective Australia
Voices@Alive – Alive 90.5 FM
Alive 90.5 FM

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