Creaciones Chonita was started in 1981 by Concepción Sojuel Mendoza, an indigenous woman who lost her husband in the violence of civil war and needed to find a way to support herself and her children. Through the years this family-run business known for creative jewelry design has expanded to provide work at fair wages for many widows and young women of the community.When the group makes a profit, they save part of the money in a scholarship fund for the education of their children. They also give basic living supplies to elderly widows, and support the medical expenses of all members as needed. Ten Thousand Villages has purchased products from Creaciones Chonita since 1995.