For many people living in small, isolated communities in Mexico there is little or no employment or source of income. The production of craft items such as the ceramics shown above is often the only viable method of generating funds and hence an extremely important element of the local economy. When work and income is shared it is often possible for other local enterprises and start-ups to be supported and financed via community funding without the necessity of reverting to high interest loans which are often unavailable to the poor.