Casa Ursulina is a cooperative endeavor in the city of Chillan, Chile for marginalized women, many of whom are raising children alone. The center assists them in developing skills that allow them to become more self-sufficient.

Some of these women have spun wool on drop spindles to make garments most of their lives. And some of them have shoulder problems from using a drop spindle for many years. That reduces their ability to produce yarn. Others have never spun yarn before. To some extent, spinning in Chile is like spinning in America - a skill that until recently has been largely historical. But that is changing in Chile as it is in America. An American volunteer from Central Indiana (Susan Pugh) has gone to Chile in the month of February for the last two years to teach these women to use spinning wheels, so they can increase their production.

Two of the spinning wheels used at Casa Ursulina are due to generous donations from Louet, North America and from Foxglove Fiber Arts (the U.S. distributor of Ashford products).

Sheep Street Fibers is selling some of the yarns produced by the women at Casa Ursulina. All of the profits from the sales are going into a fund to buy more spinning wheels for these women.

This page contains a link to the web site of Casa Ursulina, some information about the yarns they produce, and some e-mail messages Ms Pugh sent to friends while she was in Chile.