Dona Raquel will welcome you inside her workplace, one of the few spots inside El Triangulo where a business exists. Dona Raquel will explain to you how to make clothes, particularly uniforms for big businesses in San Jose. She will explain where she buys the fabric, the zippers, buttons and all of the materials and then how the work is divided inside her shop. She will teach you about all the different types of sewing machines and what purpose each serves. You will get to test them out for yourself. Try your hand at making pants' pockets, collars, or your very own recyclable bag. Work alongside Raquel and her family members as you see what it takes to run a family business in an underserved community.
"My goal is to buy my own house someday, outside of El Triangulo!"
Dona Raquel was born in Nicaragua. She came to Costa Rica with her husband and 4 children. She has always worked in industrial clothes production. Her brother, sister, son and her son's girlfriend all work in the shop together. 2 of her children received scholarships for their studies at the University and high school level. She is proud that everyone who works for her is paid for their work and she is also proud that more family members are showing interest in the work. She works hard to save enough money to be able to buy a house one day.
Dona Raquel learned how to sew from her husband and has been sewing for over 20 years. She loves sewing because she can make everything from scratch. She feels proud making pants, skirts, shirts, etc. for businesses in San Jose. She also likes to make things for people in the community. For example, she likes making dresses for her neighbor's children.
