who are we?

Barachala is a small business run by us - Natalia and Benjamin - on the basis of three ideas. The first is to share the traditional arts of Colombia with people in Australia and create awareness of Colombia beyond the infamy of drug cartels and violence; second, to help indigenous communities, friends and family in Colombia to make a fair livelihood from their time, labour and creativity; and, third, to make enough money to get by in Sydney while we finish our studies.

We call our business fair-trade because we buy all our products directly from the individual artisans, indigenous groups and cooperatives that make them, and because they determine the value of their work – we never bargain. Nothing we sell is mass-produced, and we do not design or set parameters for the artisans, other than that they be creative and send us what they're proud of. We know all the artisans on a personal level and have shared arepas and hot chocolate with many of them.

The word Barachala is the original indigenous name of our favourite town in Colombia, Barichara. It means ‘a good place to rest' in the Guane language.

We hope you enjoy our webpage, which, incidentally, was designed in Colombia. Feel free to write to us with any questions about our business or Colombia in general, or look for us at Paddington Markets, Sydney, most Saturdays. Feedback is always welcome.

Cheers,

Natalia and Ben.