One of the most exciting new projects undertaken by the Montecristi Foundation, Inc. is the weaving school in Pile which opened this January.

Remember: the number one goal of my dad, the single obsession that started all of this, was to preserve this incredible art form. When I was a little kid, our house was full of pictures of weavers (it still is, actually, I just don’t live there anymore). I remember noticing once that all of those pictures were of old guys. But little by little, the way Brent does business is changing the face of weaving: weaving is a viable career for young people again. The next step, of course, was to give young people a place to learn to weave, and to learn to weave well. Hence, the weaving school.

The school opened in January, and in February BBB and a documentary film crew from Germany went to Pile for the official ribbon cutting ceremony. Also in attendance was the vice mayor of Montecristi. At left you can see a photo from the ribbon cutting. I’ve seen that proud look in my dad’s eyes often enough to know what an incredibly emotional moment this must have been for him; this school ensures the continuation of the art of fine Panama hats by providing a place for the next generation of weavers to train.

The school has one teacher and one assistant. It’s in session five days a week for four hours a day (remember, this isn’t replacing “regular” school, but in addition to). The official course of study is for one year, although this may change in the future. The teacher salaries, building rental, straw, and other supplies are all paid for by the Foundation.

Students are able to attend school for no cost. Not only that, but all of the hats the students weave are purchased at fair market value, and each student receives a bonus for their first completed hat. The hats will be sold (we hope J) and the proceeds will go directly back to funding the school. At least during this first phase, it’s unlikely that hat sales will cover the operating costs of the school, so the Foundation will continue to provide funding.

So far the reception for the school has been fantastic. The students attending are working hard; as of this writing, three hats have already been completed and purchased, with bonuses going to the (very excited) students. (Want to support the school directly by ordering one of these hats specifically? Contact BBB.) Andrea in Ecuador reports that students love the school and more village children want to attend. Brent is hopeful that the program can expand if demand continues to be high.

Oh, and the teacher? That’s Senovio Espinal, father of Simón Espinal. What could be more fitting than to have the man who taught the best weaver in the world teaching the children of Pile? Will one of them someday outdo Simón? Time will tell.