Maya Traditions Journal

Medicinal Plant - Health Care Project

2012-01-24T06:58:00.000-08:00

Throughout 2011, Maya Traditions operated a Natural Health Care Project for our surrounding communities with generous support from First Peoples Worldwide Fund of the Tides Foundation. The goals and objectives for the project was to promote and preserve traditional medical practices by empowering Ajq'omaneles (Maya healers) and emerging youth to educate their communities and provide access to affordable and appropriate health care in rural indigenous areas.

The second phase of the project was to continue to strengthen the participants' knowledge and skills with more advanced and in-depth trainings and to prepare them to become stronger advocates of traditional medical practices in their communities.

Participants were able to gain necessary skills and knowledge in identifying medicinal plants and how to effectively implement them into a patient's treatment plan. Approximately 300 women and children received educational workshops from Maya healers on preventative practices, which drastically strengthens the overall health of their communities.

We hope to expand our medicinal plant garden and possibly transplant several plots of land into rural villages surrounding Panajachel, so other communities can grow their knowledge and build sustained health care systems. The funding for this program is currently expired, but we hope to receive further grants and donations. Currently, we are grateful to work with volunteer intern students from a local high school who are eager to help out and are willing to learn about the plant properties and uses.

In 2012 FTM will continue to work on providing access to knowledge and education about the use of medicinal plants particularly as a preventative measure for common illnesses.

For more information on our Fair Trade foundation and social services, visit our website at www.mayatraditions.org

Implementing the Education Program

2012-01-18T12:27:00.000-08:00

The week of January 9th, 2012, Nicolassa Vasquez (The Education Program Coordinator) and I traveled to each of the six communities that participate in the Maya Traditions Education Program. We accomplished several objectives:

1.) We discussed the contractual terms of the Maya Traditions Education Program, which essentially states that in order for the participants to receive scholarships, the students must be passing their classes. Accordingly, after we clarified any questions from the group regarding the terms, all the mothers renewed their contracts with Maya Traditions.

2.) We required the students' report cards from the previous semester to verify that all the students were passing their classes. If any student failed to turn in their report card, or failed more than one class, the terms of the contract dictate that the program will no longer provide a scholarship to that student until he or she makes up the class.

3.) We sought the receipts from the scholarship money. This process enables Maya Traditions to verify that the scholarship money was spent on educational purposes, and that the children are receiving the school supplies needed in order to be effective students.

4.) Lastly, we handed out profile forms for all the students to fill out. The goal here is to enable Maya Traditions to better track the family names, the academic achievements and goals of the students, and the expenses that the students accrue in regards to academics. In turn, this information helps Maya Traditions to better tailor their services to satisfy the needs of the program participants.

Please check out a couple of the photos from our past visit!!!

Two Participants from Patanatic; A Mother and Her Daughter

Handing in the Children's Report Cards in Chirijox

The Student Participants from Santa Clara

The Participants from Santa Clara with Nicolassa and Me

Thank you for checking in!

-Ryan Tramonte

Happy New Year 2012!

2012-01-04T09:12:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! We, at Maya Traditions Foundation, wish you the best as you enter into the new year and as we all seek to accomplish our resolutions and goals throughout the year.

As a Fair Trade foundation, we hope to create sustainable relationships with local weavers in Guatemala and buyers throughout the world. Our weavers really deserve to have their skills displayed for all to see. We are very thankful for our working relationships and the cultural insights provided throughout the fair trade process.

Thank you for the support that you provide that helps give fair wages to workers, funds for our social services, and for enabling consumers the access to unique, fair products!

You can expect to find our new release of an online catalog coming soon in March 2012.

Donate online here.

My Volunteer Experience

2011-12-20T08:45:00.000-08:00

The past few weeks at Maya Traditions have passed in a blur. A fun blur, filled with chicken buses, presentations, and visits to communities I´d never seen.

As part of Maya Tradition´s work supporting local artisans, they provide scholarships for the weaver´s children, an invaluable means to encourage them to stay in school. Without the scholarships, many students would have to drop out and find a job to help bring in money for their family. Maya Traditions has scholarships for students from elementary school all the way to university, and over the past few weeks I´ve had the good fortune to work with their sponsored high schoolers.

Even though it´s winter here, right now it´s what we in the US would call ´summer break´ for public schools: a 2-month vacation from November into January. During this time, Maya Traditions asks its scholarship students to implement a community service project in their hometown, a means of both giving back to their community and giving the students valuable organizing experience. I attended the preparation workshop back when I first arrived in Guatemala, and now am getting to see the results.

Over the past 2 weeks, Nicolasa—FTM´s Education Program Coordinator—and I have gone out to visit the students to observe the work they´ve been doing. Some of them are in far-flung rural communities, requiring a long journey and a few different modes of transportation to reach. One particularly busy day, Nicolasa and I realized we´d used every available means of transport—navigating between 2 different isolated towns, we´d taken a chicken bus, a microbus, a pickup truck, a tuktuk and a lancha!

All the traveling has been well worth it. The community service projects—all revolving around this year´s theme, ‘Family Struggles’—show the hard work and dedication that the students have. Using games, videos, and in-depth discussions, they have worked with groups of their peers, young children, and their mothers and elders of the community to address this difficult topic. It´s been great to watch them speak honestly about the effects of poverty, violence, and drug addiction on local families has been. These conversations are so necessary to the health of the community, and watching the students facilitate them has been truly inspiring.

Today is my last day at Maya Traditions, which I cannot believe. Time has flown by so fast! It´s truly been a privilege to work with an organization that´s doing such great work. This was my first time in Guatemala, but it´s definitely not my last!

--Written by Nicole, volunteer

Color & Design Workshops

2011-12-07T10:08:00.000-08:00

We are currently in the midst of narrowing down our product line, and focusing more on empowering the weavers by helping them become self-sustainable in learning how to develop, produce, budget, market, and sell.

In the past we have hosted color and design workshops. Our new product line will be announced through an online catalog, so stay tuned once we refine our list and descriptions.

Here are some photos from previous workshops:

To support our work and to help these Mayan weavers, donate now here.

Happy Thanksgiving from Guatemala!

2011-11-25T07:16:00.000-08:00

I´m Nicole, a new volunteer with Maya Traditions who just arrived last week. My background is in community organizing and working with teenagers, and I´ve come to help out with a youth-led community service initiative that Maya Traditions has helped organize every year.

In addition to their work with local weavers, Maya Traditions has a scholarship program for the sons and daughters of the women they work with (ie the weavers). This scholarship program helps their children finish high school, and even go on to university. As part of the scholarship, the youth are required to do a community service project in their hometowns, to improve the lives of their families and neighbors. For most of the students, this is the first time they have participated in community service, and the experience can be a great lesson in organizing and in helping others.

I arrived in Panajachel just in time to attend the series of workshops helping the students plan their projects. To get the students thinking of ideas, facilitators from the Human Rights Ombudsmen’s Office and the Legal Center for Human Rights in Solola came to talk about this year´s theme, which is family breakdown. Through discussions and skits, the students shared about many difficult topics, from domestic violence to the effects of poverty, and were able to brainstorm a lot of great plans for their projects.

After the workshops, I was also lucky enough to witness cultural presentations put on by the students. They came from 6 different communities, and each has its own indigenous traditions, dances, and
clothing. It was amazing to see the students demonstrating rituals that have been handed down through generations, full of history and meaning. Not only was it very beautiful, but also really funny: like
teenagers everywhere, the students cracked jokes and had a lot of fun with the presentations.

Afterwards, I got to put on a traditional women´s traje myself! The students from San Juan La Laguna dressed me and David, another volunteer from the States, in the clothing that men and women from
their village have worn for many years. Everything is handmade, and very beautiful, so it was great to get to try it on.

All in all I had a great time meeting all the students, and I look forward to seeing the work they´ll be doing with their community service projects!

We Need YOU!!!

2011-07-22T11:32:00.000-07:00

FTM is looking for more volunteers in our office!
Special needs currently are:
Monitoring and Evaluation intern
Graphic Design intern
Public Relations intern
Web Maintenance volunteer
English as a Foreign Language volunteer

Please email robin@mayatraditions.org if you are interested!!

New Etsy site for our artisans!

2011-07-22T11:30:00.000-07:00

We now have an Etsy site so that individuals can buy products from our artisans. Currently, we are featuring our San Juan artisans, with more shops to open for our other groups!
Check it out at: Etsy

Check out our latest fundraising campaign and help us continue to empower artisans!

2011-07-04T08:34:00.000-07:00

The Highly Anticipated Wool Visit

2011-03-15T16:01:00.000-07:00

Dear Amigos,

         I believe I am a rather persistent and ambitious character when it comes to the arts that I love. Since January I have had the divine experiences of learning backstrap weaving with two very talented Maya Traditions weavers. I have covered brocading, scarf making, and creating a scarf with two sides using natural dyed cotton/silk thread blends. In addition, I have had the opportunity to experiment with Saca Tinta or Indigo on both cotton and wool yarn. I was able to source the wool yarn in a shop in San Juan la Laguna that purchased it from Momocastenango. It was not the best made wool yarn I have ever encountered, but after months of not having the divine pleasure of playing with wool, I was excited. It took me weeks to find it, but Filomina, Juana, Adelaida and I discovered in San Juan the delight of successfully dyeing wool with plant mordants.
            Many people have told me that sourcing wool here is difficult if not impossible, especially when it comes to raw wool that is cleaned and carded for felting. However, I have a stubborn nature, and knew that where there are sheep, there are people who work with wool. I did not give up on sourcing wool, and after my first success I decided that I was going to find raw wool to make felt in Guatemala. So when an opportunity to travel to Chichicastenango for a day arrived, I took it knowing that the mountain towns have sheep. Maybe, I thought, just maybe, I will finally find raw wool!
              When I arrived, through a chance encounter I met a daughter of a family of wool workers. Through conversing with her and her younger sister who spoke better Spanish, I began business negotiations around raw wool. Through our conversation I discovered that low and behold I had found people who knew the difference between sheep varieties. Sheep do not just come in the colors of black, white, beige, and brown. There are varieties that have soft wool and others that have very coarse wool. Some have long hairs and some have short hairs or fleeces. My new favorite people in the world knew the difference. With a heritage of 50 years of working with wool, this family was incredibly educated around wool fiber arts. I asked if I could come and visit their workshop, and they said yes. So this past week I was able to visit their home and witness parts of the sorting and cleaning process, carding, spinning, crocheting, and weaving all with wool! I taught them the basic action of felting beads with their wool. They were pleased and very quick learners. We shared a delightful lunch in their kitchen and they showed me their work. After talking more with the son, I learned that he sourced the Merino I had purchased in Momocastenango, a mountain town known for its wool production.It is not easy to buy and is often mixed with other varieties, but he has his tricks and is successfully making merino blankets.

I was able to purchase raw merino wool and begin experimenting with its felting ability. I have succeded in felting with Merino, but the local Chichicastenango wool from a variety of sheep named Vasco does not make as good of a product. I am hoping to go to Momocastenango in April to visit Momo to witness their wool production and source more tools and merino. I also have the task of learning how to write a project proposal and grant ahead of me. I am determined to teach felting, because I have seen with the incredible artistic minds of the women in our weaving groups, it is possible to make incredibly beautiful felt work. This past week I learned a valuable lesson about Guatemala, sometimes no just means I do not know, but keep trying. Persistence does pay off.

Over and out,
Volunteer Natalia Robinson

San Juan La Laguna Homestay

2011-03-04T22:29:00.000-08:00

Hola Amigos,

I have just returned from San Juan La Laguna. This town is close to Panajachel and borders Lake Atitlan as well. I spent a week exchanging fiber art techniques with the family of a woman who is beginning to work with FTM. Her daughters, were all incredible artists in their own right. They also were my teachers, as these women have many jobs. The woman I stayed with is a curandera (healer), comadrona (midwife), and sells the fruits of coffee. She would always leave in the afternoon to buy coffee or give aid to someone sick in the village. Some days she would leave in the morning for business negotiations for her weaving cooperative.Thus her daughters were more often my teachers.

The first part of the day was dedicated to my learning and the second part to my teaching. With this family I learned about local and non local plants used for natural dyeing, wove a scarf with two sides, and shared food, laughter, music, and stories. Every day we started with breakfast, which often comprised of tortillas and fish in a tomato sauce, and then slowly made our way to the days work. My first morning we visited some of the members of the cooperative "Mujeres Tejadoras: La Voz de Tz'utujiles" or Weaving Women: The Voice of Tz'utujiles.

Pictured here is the husband of one of the weavers, and their family own a foot loom. He has been weaving for 15 years and his wife has been learning and working with him.This is very progressive because throughout Guatemala, it is only the men who use the machines in weaving and sewing, and make jaspe (or Ikat). The association is a group of 36 differs from the norm because 3 women sew, 10 women dye jaspe, and 1 woman uses the foot loom.

Pictured right is another woman I met. She struggled to find significant work and left her other cooperative to join La Voz. This is often the story of the women in San Juan and is a common thread for the women I was staying with as well. She left a group because of its lack of work and her desire to focus solely on natural dyes. With 15 years of experience and the tutorial of her grandmother, she wanted to continue on the tradition of natural dyeing. This art was not appreciated for many years until now. She told me of how she would try to sell her work on the streets of Panajachel, but tourists preferred the brighter colors of the synthetically dyed work. Now people come to San Juan just to see the naturally dyed textiles.

The people of San Juan belong to an indigenous group of Maya that is smaller than the Quiche and Kaqchikel, which are the predominant groups living around the lake. The language has some similarities to Quiche, but the language itself is rather unique. The woman I stayed with do not speak much Spanish. However, her daughters spoke Spanish, some English, French, and had interest in learning more Quiche and Kaqchikel. This did not stop them from communicating with me. They always made an attempt to speak with me, whether with words, laughter, or gentle encouragement. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this family and in one of the daughters, found a fellow inspired fiber enthusiast. Her work was amazingly beautiful and I hope to continue teaching felting to this family and learning about natural dyes from them.

Celebrate International Women´s Day with Maya Traditions Foundation and Oxlajuj B'atz'

2011-03-02T07:29:00.000-08:00

Oxlajuj B'atz' & Maya Traditions Foundation
invite you to celebrate
International Women's Day

Sunday, March 6th ~ 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Fair Trade Stores open 10:00 am - 12:00 pm & 3:00 - 5:00 pm Product Demonstrations & Exhibitions ~ One Day Sale! 10% off all products Casa Kaqchikel, Calle 14 de febrero Panajachel, Guatemala Maya Traditions: (502) 7762-2829, guatemala@mayatraditions.com, www.mayatraditions.com Oxlajuj B'atz': (502) 7762-6245, thirteenthreads@gmail.com, www.thirteenthreads.com


Oxlajuj B'atz' (Thirteen Threads - Trece Hilos) Oxlajuj B’atz’ (Thirteen Threads) is a non-profit indigenous women’s empowerment and non-formal education organization based in Guatemala since 2004. Our mission is to facilitate processes for Maya women artisans to bring about change, through their own efforts, that will alleviate the adverse effects of poverty and improve their quality of life. Our mission is guided by the principles of harmony, democracy, and sustainability. Thirteen Threads provides capacity-building skills training to 20 Maya women’s cooperatives throughout rural Guatemala. Our four program areas are: Artisan and Product Development; Democracy and Team Building; Health and Well- Being and; Small Business. Read more about Oxlajuj B'atz': www.oxlajujbatz.org	Maya Traditions Foundation Maya Traditions was founded in 1988 by Jane Mintz, an experienced social worker and weaver herself, to help war-afflicted skilled artisans succeed and preserve their cultures through access to a Fair Trade global marketplace. Today Maya Traditions is a Guatemala Foundation which provides social service and scholarships supported by the production of Fair Trade products and grants from several foundations. MT provides consistent work for 85 Mayan backstrap weavers and their families. In addition, we strive to improve their quality of life by offering assistance in the areas deemed most valuable by the weaving groups. Read more about Maya Traditions: www.mayatraditions.com

Quiejel Homestay

2011-02-14T16:07:00.000-08:00

Hello friends, family, and curious onlookers,

My name is Natalia Robinson and I am the new volunteer at Maya Traditions. I am a Fiber Arts major at Evergreen State College in Washington State in the United States. The next four months I will be interning at Maya Traditions, traveling to different communities to learn about their specific art forms, and may possibly teach felting to some of the groups here that are interested in learning. My first few weeks here have been incredibly informative and full of brand new experiences in Guatemala. However, the most enriching experience I have had so far was my homestay in Quijel with Yolanda and her family. Yolanda is a master weaver and the leader of our Chichicastenango weaving group. I came to live with her to learn how to use the backstrap loom and get a taste of life in the countryside.

When I arrived at her home we immediately began working. I showed her pictures of the brocading technique I wanted to learn, and some of the things in the shop that we sell that I really liked. It just so happened that she had made the coin purses with intricate brocading work that I preferred most in the shop. Thus we were a good teacher/student match and began creating the warp right away. This process takes focus and is more difficult for intricate warping patterns.

For the first project I had quite a bit of help and decided for that the second project I would do all of the work. This was much trickier than I anticipated and I had many problems creating the heddle (in Quiche this is called the chicoy). The Maya here have invented an ingenious way of creating heddles by hand using rayon string on a stick. This is how they are able to make such complex patterns on their huipils and control their brocading designs. Weaving her is truly done a mano (by hand). During my lessons, many members of Yolanda's family came to visit and assist in my teaching. I was very grateful for this, but found Yolanda to always be the most knowledgeable. When she was unavailable, I found myself struggling a little more. However, by the end of the week I had totally designed and produced a bufanda or scarf.

Beyond my lessons in weaving, I spent my days in Quijel eating fresh made tortillas of corn that was grown on her land and consuming large quantities of beans, tomatoes, avocados, and atole. Her family took me in and I found myself teaching sword fighting with sticks while trying to speak Spanish and a little bit of Quiche to all the neighborhood children. When you do not understand a language, I have found hand gestures, smiles, and laughing to be a good substitute to words. I also had the opportunity to accompany Yolanda to the health center and witness the insane waiting time to receive toothpaste, a toothbrush, some soap, and a small packet of vitamins. She came in the morning, was wait listed as number 108 and ended up waiting for over three hours in line during the afternoon. She was patient, but I found myself annoyed for her. The health care situation in these communities is in dire need of support and I hope that more indigenous people here will be able to receive the education to return to their villages and help.

I witnessed the strength these people have to cultivate their food in the mountains and maintain their language, art,and culture. They have an incredibly strong sense of community and it inspired me greatly to know that there are still cultures that maintain the care of their community and culture with so much laughter. Yolanda is a key person in the community and I never saw anyone shy away from her. She is a pillar of support to all of those around her and is always laughing. I hope to continue to build such amazing relationships with the people here and to seek funding for the health care programs at Maya Traditions.

Visit to Chuacruz

2011-02-02T11:03:00.000-08:00

Dora, Molly and I visited Chuacruz on Friday afternoon to deliver school supplies and backpacks for the children in our education scholarship program. Chuacruz is about an hours journey, by chicken buses and a pickup truck, from Panajachel. It is a beautiful village surrounded by corn fields and hills. All the women and children, that we met, in the village were very welcoming and friendly towards us.

There are 22 weavers in the group ho formed together in November 2002 who wanted to earn a living after the violence of the 1980`s. They work as a cooperative, making weaving's which are sold throughout Guatemala and also sold internationally. They speak the Maya language Kakchiquel and for most Spanish is there second language.

At the start of the school year Maya Traditions gives the children in the education scholarship program school supplies and a backpack. The school supplies that we took to Chuacruz were kindly donated by customers of The One World Shop in Scotland where I use to work. The children were very cute and seemed to like their new backpacks in preparation for the new school year. There are only six children here who receive an education scholarship from Maya Traditions as it is a very small community.

Last Saturday we were also visited at the office by woman and children from our other communities. They came to pick up school supplies or to be reimbursed for school supplies that they had bought. All the woman and children also have to sign a contract that lay out the terms of conditions for receiving the scholarship. These include promises that children must go to school, complete all school work and that the parents must support them to do this. It is important for the children that they have the support from their parents to help them achieve their education goals.

Vivacious Volunteers

2011-01-25T10:45:00.000-08:00

Maya Traditions welcomes enthusiastic new volunteer Natalia Robinson.

Natalia hails from the beautiful northwest and is currently completing her bachelor’s degree at Evergreen State College in fiber arts. Natalia will be volunteering for us for four months during which time she hopes to learn from cooperative fiber arts communities supported by MTF; teach felting (one of her many passions); work in the garden with Molly, Nilvia, and Miguel. She also dreams of starting a botanical garden of plants traditionally used for dyeing. This project would combine her passions for farming, gardening and the fiber arts. Natalia has spent years working with various herbalists and has accumulated an extensive understanding and passion for herbal medicine, including a year in New Zealand studying both “English” and Maori herbal medicine.

She spent her first day working in the garden on Monday with Nilvia, Molly, Caroline and Miguel.

Segundo Gira

2011-01-19T08:14:00.000-08:00

Hey folks!

We had our second official tour of the medicinal plant garden last Friday and it was a great success! Nine visitors of varying ages trailed behind Miguel, taking in the beautiful vista while learning about medicinal plants and their properties. Here’s to more successful tours to come! Join us every Friday from 2-4pm in the garden, located next to the volunteer bungalows on callejon los presidentes (the street right before Hotel Sol on Calle Cementerio).

Las Giras

2011-01-11T08:21:00.001-08:00

Saludos! My name is Molly Laing and I am a student at Bennington College in Vermont where I am currently studying culture and health with the hopes that I will go on to get my masters in public health. Every year students at Bennington are required to complete a Field Work Term (FWT) internship. I am doing my FWT this year with Maya Tradtions, working primarily in the medicinal herb garden and with the public health program.

This past Friday we had our first tour of the garden open to the public. Public tours of the garden will be held every Friday from 2-4 pm. A new medicinal herb will be covered in-depth each Friday in addition to the general tour of the luscious garden and leafy inhabitants.

The tour begins at the base of the garden, which is located on the hillside next to the volunteer bungalows. After a warm welcome and brief explanation of the program’s mission, vision and goals by Nilvia, visitors will begin their ascent into the garden where they will be met by Don Miguel, our gardener. Miguel will guide visitors through the garden, pausing to explain the uses and particularities of each organically grown herb. The tour will culminate with the explanation and sampling of the herb of the week (usually in tea form). While visitors sip on their tea they also bear witness to a breathtaking view of Lago Atitlan and all of the surrounding volcanos. Please join us every Friday from 2-4. For more information look for fliers located in the tiendas where the herbs are sold and in many hotels

2011-01-04T08:22:00.000-08:00

Hello, my name is Caroline Whitson and I’m from Edinburgh, Scotland and graduated from Glasgow University last summer with a degree in Zoology. However, I decided not to pursue a career in this field and ended up working in One World Shop a Fair Trade shop in Scotland. I worked there for a year and whilst there I was inspired to visit a country where I can see how Fair Trade affects people directly. That is what brought me to volunteering at Maya Traditions. I have wanted to come to Central America for a long time and I also wanted to learn Spanish. Volunteering at Maya Traditions seemed like a perfect place to do both these things and so I was very excited when it was all organized and I was ready to come.

I was also lucky enough to visit two of the communities on my first day here. I went with Dora who is from Guatemala and is in charge of the education project and Esti another volunteer. First we visited San Juan where we have a women’s weaving group. San Juan is a beautiful village across the lake from Panajachel and it was great to get to take a boat ride across the lake! The purpose of the visit was to check all the students who are part of the scholarship education program had passed a sufficient amount of subjects to continue with the scholarship the next school year which starts in January. It was really great to see more of the lake and meet the people that the foundation is helping. The next community we visited was Santa Clara which is not on the lake itself but a pick up truck ride away over a hill. Here we were visiting a women’s crocheting group. The people here were also very friendly and I had great fun playing with the kids while the woman discussed important issues in the community. On my second day we had the staff Christmas party at a restaurant with a pool which was a 15 minute boat ride away from Panajachel. My first couple of days were a great introduction to volunteering here!!

I was also lucky enough to have a 2 week holiday over Christmas and New Year and so explored some more of Guatemala. I visited Semuc Champey which is an area on the Cahabon river where natural limestone bridges occur, creating beautiful lagoons for swimming in. I then visited Tikal, ancient ruins of Maya city in the Jungle of Peten which was very stunning. However, my highlight of the holiday was definitely El Salvador, I didn’t intend on going here but am very glad that I did. The people were so friendly and with its beautiful beaches and pretty mountains there’s so much to see and do. I am now back in Panajachel and am looking forward to continuing with my work in marketing and visiting more of the communities over the next couple of months. I will also be adding to the online catalog so check out the website and have a look at our products. More will be added soon!

In Memory of Maria Josefa Chacom/ En Memoria de Maria Josefa Chacom

2010-12-07T07:53:00.000-08:00

Maria Josefa Chacom, a Maya Tradition's Weaver from the community of Santa Clara, died suddenly last sunday in her home at the age of 42.

She had worked with us for more than 12 years and was highly respected by the women in the group.

She will be missed. Rest in Peace.

Maria Josefa Chacom, tejedora de Tradiciones Mayas de la Comunidad de Santa Clara, murio repentinamente el pasado domingo en su casa a la temprana edad de 42 años. Maria habia trabajado con nosotros durante mas de 12 años y era muy

respetada entre las mujeres del grupo. Nos ha dejado un vacio en nuestros corazones. En Paz descanse.

Graduation Party

2010-11-19T09:27:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday night we had a party in La Sala to celebrate the graduation of eight of the students on our scholarship program. It was a fun night with the participation of all the high school students from the sixth communities, a total of 26 teenage kids...

Each community prepared different performances for the night and we had a little competition on 5 categories: mimic, singing, traditional storytelling, poetry and traditional dancing.

Some of the performances were celeritous and others very dramatic. I really enjoy the traditional dancing category. Quiejel delighted us with a dance called “stealing the girlfriend” with 3 men competing for the love of a pretty lady.

The bunch from San Juan La Laguna represented the San Simon dance with offerings, candles, and a flesh San Simon including the hat and the cigar. That was a laugh!

Each graduated student gave a little talk about their expectations for the future and they were all very thankful for the opportunities the scholarship had provided them.

A very enjoyable night. Congratulations to all the graduates!!!!

Remembering Jane Mintz

2010-11-18T07:58:00.000-08:00

This week marks the anniversary of the loss of our Founder, Jane Mintz. While I never had the chance to know Jane, since taking on this position as Director of her Foundation, I have seen the amazing legacy that she left behind. Known around here as Juana, she has clearly not left the hearts and minds of the many lives she touched.
Not only was she a talented weaver, social worker, and friend to many, she also was an incredibly giving soul.
Over the years, Jane helped so many Guatemalan families by providing them with support and encouragement during very dark times in Guatemala. She worked to promote Maya traditional crafts so that Maya women could feed their families. She brought in designers and educators to help the women learn new skills to build on their artistry. Her efforts launched a huge Fair Trade program for women artisans in six villages.
She started a mother garden of medicinal plants in the hope that Maya families could re-learn lost knowledge of healing plants and that effort has now expanded into our Medicinal Plant education programs.
Jane began nutrition programs, sex education programs, and scholarship programs so our artisan´s children to go to school and hopefully move out of the cycle of poverty.
This is just a small list of her many accomplishments. What a full life!
Each day here at Maya Traditions, as we plan and re-organize and work to make this legacy grow and thrive, I ask myself...are we staying with the goals of Jane? Are we living up to her dreams?
It is hard to live someone else´s dream. It is harder to fill such big shoes. But, in honor of her work and passion, and in honor of the many Maya families that depend on our support, we work to keep building these relationships in our community as well as abroad.
This time is one of reflection on a life well-lived and well-loved. I wish I could have known such an amazing woman. My knowing only comes from the stories I hear of her life. Through that, I have a small glipse of who she was...
Maybe you, too, have stories of Jane? Maybe you could take a minute to share them with us?
You can post your stories here. Or just take a minute to remember.
Thank you, Jane.

Robin Smith
Exec. Director
F.T.M.

Leadership and Initiative Workshop: Chuacruz and Patanatic November 11th

2010-11-17T08:24:00.000-08:00

On Thursday November 11^th I visited the communities of Chuacruz and Patanatic to continue with the replications of the Leadership and Initiative Workshop. The format of the workshops was then same as the previous workshops I had attended The groups, led by Maya Traditions’ scholarship students discussed the various problem in their communities, made lists of these problems, and then identified one problem that they collectively decided is the most important. The causes and effects of these problems as well as the possible steps to work towards a solution were then discussed. As in the previous workshops in the communities, I am continually impressed by the participatory attitudes of the women. They do not need much encouragement to express their opinions and thoughts.

In Chuacruz the major environmental problem of the community was identified as deforestation and the major social problem as alcoholism. It was interesting though, that when the women voted on which problem they wanted to work on and discuss, the overwhelming response was deforestation. The women were asked why they chose deforestation over alcoholism and after a long discussion in Kaqchiquel, the response was that it is easier to develop solutions for deforestation, because alcoholism is disease. This is a themes I have seen in various communities. The women and students are aware of the drastic social problems that affect their lives, but opt to develop a project based on an environmental issue that has more concrete and identifiable causes, effects and solutions.

Patanatic decided that the major problem of the community is garbage. Originally they discussed the idea of the lack of access to and education about medicinal plants as the major problem, but they ultimately decided that garbage is a more important problem and effects the lives of everyone living in the community.

After participating in the workshops in the communities of Chuacruz and Patanatic I was really struck by the importance of developing strong and dedicated young leaders in the rural communities of Guatemala. I was especially impressed by the leadership and enthusiasm of Lorenzo a scholarship student from Chirijox. I can really see in Lorenzo a person who is going to change the lives of the people in his community and in Guatemala. We asked Lorenzo to accompany us to other communities to support the other scholarship students who are more timid or less comfortable leading a group. There Was a notable difference in the fluidity of the workshops when Lorenzo was present which I think has a lot to do with his personal confidence the charismatic way in which he involves the participants of the workshops.

When I asked Dora, she told me that the students only receive one workshop on leadership and initiative skills before they begin to give their own workshops in their home communities. I think that next year it would be very useful to include a more extensive training in leadership and initiate to the students identified as the leaders of the groups to more effectively prepare them to guide and help the people of their communities.

I am overall very impressed by the enthusiasm and dedication in which the women and students express themselves and I feel that with a more extensive training on how to be effective and motivational leaders their efforts will be more long lasting and reaching. I strongly believe that the format of community education by scholarship student leaders to the women artisans that Maya Traditions utilizes is a very efficacious and also sustainable model, that creates awareness, communication and plants the seeds for change in the rural communities of Guatemala. The necessity for opening a safe space for dialogue about crucial social and environmental issues among women and youth can clearly be seen in the openness and enthusiasm in which opinions and ideas are shared in the workshops. One of the most vital aspects of Maya Traditions work is that it inspires and encourages Maya women and youth to make their voices be heard in a society where these voices are often repressed due to ingrained systematic racism and sexism.

Meet the Artists

2010-11-15T19:07:00.000-08:00

San Juan La Laguna is, in my humble opinion, the most picturesque village around Lake Atitlan. The shore line is covered in reed and the horizon is dominated by a tree covered hill known as "indian nose". You can find coffe fields all around and the houses are painted in different colours, some often decorated with huge murals by local artists telling stories about traditional Maya lifestyle.

Andres and Gaspar come from San Juan.

They are both studying Art at Guatemala City with the help of Maya Traditions´scholarship program. This is not easy task for them, art materials are expensive and the cost of living away from the community means a financial strugle for their families. Andres dropped out a year ago because of financial problems, but things are a bit better now that his older brother has finished his studies and he will be back in track as soon as the new year starts. As you can see in these photographs Andres and Gaspar are very talented and creative artists and they would be delighted to show you their work. if you are planing on visiting San Juan La Laguna, or would like to see or purchase some of their work, get in touch with Maya Traditions and we will defenetely get you in contact with them.

Local School Visits the Garden

2010-11-15T10:39:00.000-08:00

This past Friday we had some visitors from a local school, Panajachel Colegio Internacional, visit the medicinal herb garden. Miguel (wearing cap) at the top is explaining to the students about the demonstration plot at the entrance to the gardens. In this area are small samples of the many varieties of plants grown in the garden.

Next the students were led into the greenhouse to see the collection of plants that are grown for selling and replenishing the gardens.

We then proceeded up the hill to look at the tablones/garden plots of the production herbs that are used for harvesting and drying for making medicinal teas, tinctures and salves that are sold locally and in Antigua. At the top of the garden we are showing the compost pile that is used to replenish the soil in the garden beds and also for potting mixtures that are used for the new plants that are grown. The method used is sheet composting which allows for more moisture and nutrient to be retained in the composting process. There were several sheet composting locations in the garden but many were washed out in the mudslide during the storm Agatha

.

Next we put the kids to work, the first group is harvesting Hierba Buena, aka: Mentha spicata or Spearmint useful for treating stomach aches, nausea, diarrhea. The second group is pulling off the best leaves of Albahaca morada, Ocimum micranthum or Purple Basil, useful for treating gastritis, parasites, diarrhea and depression. All of the harvested leaves are cleaned, disinfected and then dried for use as a healing tea.

The students seemed to have a good time and it was helpful to have some extra hands for the harvesting process. There were many interested questions posed by the students and it was good to have their participation.

Leadership and Initiative Workshop: Chirijox November 3rd

2010-11-10T14:26:00.000-08:00

Last Wednesday, November 3^rd, I traveled with Dora, the director Maya Traditions Education Program, Esti, another volunteer, and Professor Tereso Joj, to the community of Chirijox to participate in the first of the replications of the workshop Leadership and Iniciative, given by Maya Traditions' scholarship students in their home communities. Chirijox is located in the department of Solola where 94% of the population is indigenous and approximately 76% of the population lives below poverty line. A major problem in Chirijox is unemployment, as the majority of the people who study, pursue a career in education, and there are not nearly enough schools or teaching positions to employ the abundance of teachers.

We left Panajachel at 7 am on a bus headed for Quetzaltenango, and arrived in Chirijox at 8:30 am. We got off the bus on the side of the highway and walked up a short dirt path to the home of one of the women artisans with whom Maya Traditions works, where the workshop was to be held. The workshop was led by Lorenzo Coj Tambriz one of Maya Traditions' scholarship students and included the women artisans of Chirijox and five Lorenzo’s fellow students. Lorenzo began the workshop by asking the group to think about and discuss the major problems of their particular community. One women commented that the biggest problem in the community is garbage, and that everyday she sends her kids to pick up garbage and everyday there is more and more.

The women and students then divided into four smaller groups to make lists of these problems. The problems identified ranged from alcoholism to the drying up of rivers to illness. Professor Tereso Joj commented as he circled amongst the groups, that it was interesting that many of the problems were presented in a positive light; in the statement of the problem a solution was already alluded to. The groups then reunited and the four lists were combined into one and then redivided into lists of social issues versus environmental issues. The women and students then voted on one social issue and one environmental issue that they view as the most problematic in their community. The results were the mistreatment/abuse of women and deforestation. Although I could not understand the exact words, I was impressed by the expressiveness women artisans while elaborating on the problems in their communities. Lorenzo’s peers were a little more hesitant in expressing their ideas, but he encouraged them by saying, “Don’t be afraid friends, its time to leave behind this fear or how else will we move ahead and create change?”

We then took a break to have a lunch of caldo de rez after which we had to to leave to catch the bus back to Panajachel. The agenda after lunch was to discuss the causes and effects of the two selected issues, and enumerate possible solutions, from which a project will be developed as a group and implemented in the community.

I left Chirijox feeling both discouraged and encouraged. Discouraged by the amount and severity of the problems that affect the daily lives of so many people living in the rural communities of Guatemala, as well as the interconnectedness of the causes and effects of these issues. I am encouraged though, by the overall eagerness in which the women and students of Chirijox openly discussed the problems that affect their lives and that Maya Traditions provides a platform and resources for communication and discussion of these problems. Communication is the first step in creating change.

Quiejel's School

2010-11-08T10:17:00.000-08:00

Last Friday we visited the weaver’s community of Qiejel. They had organized a meeting, as part of the “Initiative & Leadership” workshop, to analyze community problems, choose the most urgent one and work on possible practical solutions for it.

They talked about deforestation, about how the land is not so fertile anymore and the crops don’t grow as they used to; They also talked about how the medical centre is closed because they have no doctors and the ones that come for vaccinations do not speak K’iche language; They also considered the fact that they only have public transportation out of Quiejel on Thursdays and Sundays, but the major concern was, without discussion, the primary school.

The primary school of Qiejel has 8 classrooms. Each classroom is 6x8 mt long and holds 50/60 students per class. The space is so crowded that some kids do not have a place to sit or a desk to write on. The mothers estimate that they would need at least 3 new classrooms for the coming year.

They would like to build a new school away from the hill where there is danger of landslides in the rainy season, but as a closer solution they are considering the idea of having morning and evening turns to attend school, which would imply the need for more teachers.

Once the kids finish primary school, they have to travel to Chichicastenango in order to continue their high school studies. This means that, if they want to go on with their education, they have to leave at 6am and walk up & down for an hour through a forest path to get to school.

Elena is one of Maya Traditions weavers. Her 3 sons Rogelio, German & Emilio walk to Chichicastenango every day. They realize education is their best chance for a better future and that gives them the strength to keep going. Their determination is admirable and hopefully it will pay off. They truly deserve it!!!

recycled products/ productos reciclados

2010-11-02T12:59:00.000-07:00

As you may have already read in the blog, Maya Traditions is organizing a concert/event on the 11th of December in support of a new environmental program.
Part of this project will be workshops with our women weavers on how to create new products out of trash like plastic bags, cans, etc

So this week I would like to introduce you to Ana.

Ana is a weaver herself, she has a contagious energy and a great creativity. She can make beautiful bags out of plastic trash or fancy earrings from can tops, and she will be teaching these new skills to our lucky weavers.
Ana is very concern about the future of the Maya communities. Women on these communities live mostly from their land, but if we keep contaminating it with chemicals and trash, they will have nothing left for the new generations to come.
She believes it is important to raise awareness about environmental issues and what a better way to do it than putting the women weaving skills to work!

If you live in Panajachel or are planning to visit, you should visit Ana's store "La Señora de Cancuen" in Calle Santander. I am sure you will not leave empty handed!!!

Como seguramente ya habreis leido en el blog, Tradiciones Mayas esta organizando un concierto benefico para financiar un nuevo programa sobre medioambiente el proximo dia 11 de diciembre.
Como parte de este proyecto se impartiran talleres a nuestras tejedoras sobre como confeccionar nuevos productos utilizando bolsas de plastico, los aros de las latas y otros tipos de basura.

Por eso, esta semana me gustaria presentaros a Ana. Ana tambien realiza tejidos, tiene una energia contagiosa y una enorme creatividad. Puede confeccionar bonitos bolsos con plastico usado o elegantes pendientes utilizando los aros de las latas, y sera ella quien se encarge de impartir estos talleres a nuestras afortunadas tejedoras.
Ana esta muy preocupada por el futuro de las comunidades Mayas. Las mujeres de estas comunidades viven principamente de sus cosechas, pero si seguimos contaminadolas con quimicos y basuras no tendran nada que dejar para las futuras generaciones. Por eso cree que es importante concienciar a estas mujeres sobre como les afectan estos problemas medioambientales, y que mejor manera que hacerlo que poniendo sus habilidades como tejedoras a trabajar!
Si vives en Panajachel o estas planeando venir a visitarnos, te recomiendo que visites su tienda "La señora de Cancuen" en la Calle Santander. Seguro que no te vas con las manos vacias!!!

Maya Traditions Benefit Concert and Art Auction

2010-10-27T15:58:00.000-07:00

NEW Maya Traditions Catalog on B2B Fair Trade Direct!

2010-10-27T12:33:00.000-07:00

Thanks to our friends at PEOPlink, we now have a small catalog of some of our featured items online! We are working to update and upload even more products in the coming month.
Our retail link will launch this week at http://catalog.openentry.com/mayatraditionsb2b. You can purchase by credit card through paypal at this site.
Our wholesale link is: http://catalog.openentry.com/mayatraditionsb2b. Prices are not listed for wholesale as wholesalers need to confirm their status; however, any interested wholesalers may inquire for price from robin@mayatraditions.org. We have a variety of shipping options.
We will also make special offers on these sites, so check us out for updates!
Remember that all of your purchases support our work in Guatemala in artistry, education, and health, and it is always Fair Trade produced, purchased, and paid.
Maya Traditions is a Fair Trade Federation certified organization. Our Foundation is a legal Guatemalan non-profit and we adhere to fair trade practices.

2010-10-22T12:26:00.000-07:00

Leadership and Iniciative Workshop

On October 20^th, I had the opportunity to participate in Maya Traditions Leadership and Iniciative Workshop. The workshop included nine of our scholarship students and six women from the six communities we work with (ie Chirijox, Queijel, Santa Clara, San Juan la Laguna, Patanatic and Chuacruz). The workshop was led by Licenciado Tereso Joj Cosme with the overall theme of theme of how to develop community based projects.

Professor Tereso began the workshop with the question, How well do you know your community? The students and women were guided in considering the social construction of their communities and ultimately identifying the issues that they view as the biggest problems in their communities. Alcoholism, drug addiction, gangs, unemployment, migration, deforestation, the lack of transportation and the lack of access to education were identified as some of the greatest issues and problems that affect their communities.

Together as a large group the students and women then analyzed the problem of deforestation and how it affects their communities, by discussing the statement, Deforestation causes climate change, forest fires, affects animals and causes illnesses. The women and students then divided into smaller groups to discuss the causes and effects of deforestation, allowing them to see the interconnectedness of action and results.

I was very impressed by the both the issues addressed in the workshop as well as by the students’ participation and enthusiasm. The students were very eager to participate and openly to communicate their ideas. They also seemed educated and aware of the problems that affect their communities and open to discuss possibilities for creating change.Throughout the workshop Professor Tereso empasized the importance of the idea of participation by all members of the group. He elaborated, " Exclusion [of a person] is the worst thing that can happen in a community".

The next step is that the students will return to their communities and prepare to replicate the workshop they participated in for the the rest of the scholarship students and women weavers. In the month of November we will be visiting each of the communities, to accompany the students in their replication of the workshop.

This was the first Maya Traditions workshop that I have participated in and it really solidified for me the importance of the work Maya Traditions does and the support it offers in the communities. One student, Nicolas Santiago Chiyal Ixmata explained to me that he views the biggest problem in his community as the lack of employment. His plan to study electric engineering and then open a mechanic business to provide work opportunities for the people in his community. He explained, "Everything that I mentioned here is not a dream, they are realities that I will attain to better my life and my community".

Leadership and Iniciative Workshop/ Taller de Lidergazgo e Iniciativa

2010-10-22T10:06:00.000-07:00

Today I would like to introduce you to some of the students that benefit from Maya Tradition’s Scholarship program. They took part on a workshop about leadership together with the 6 women weavers representing their communities.
The workshop was run by Tereso JoJ Cosme, Valle de Guatemala`s University Director. He talked about the importance of identifying the problems of each community, deciding the urgency of the major problems, analysing the causes that generate them and working as a group to find practical solutions. He put special emphasis in the need to speak up but also the ability to listen to the rest of the group to get to a successful consensus before getting down to work.

It was impressive to see the level of interest, involvement and participation of the women and youth! They are eager to bring change to their communities!

And here they are,

Zoila Guarax, Amilcar Zapeta, Elizabeth Vasquez, Rodolfo Guarcax, Dominga, Nicolas Chiyal, Lidia Pich, Lorenzzo Coj, Aracely Alvarez & Domingo Macario.

This faces represent the future of Guatemala. They all dream of going to University to have the opportunity of a better life and bring change to their communities, but they are also aware of their financial limitations....

Aracely would like to study Law, but when she graduates later this year she needs to start working to help pay the studies of her younger sister.

Rodolfo wants to become an agriculturist, he would love to study in the University of Costa Rica, but the fees are in USdollars and the University grant only covers 60%. He also has this idea of creating a chicken farm bussiness on his community.

Lorenzo, who wants to become a teacher, is very concern about the problem of drugs and alcoholism in his community. He has seen kids as young as 10 drinking and smoking. He wants a better future for him and those around him.

Each of them has a personal story to tell and all of them deserve an opportunity to a better future; thats why your funding & donations for the Education program are so important for them.

Hoy quiero presentaros a algunos de los estudiantes que se benefician del programa de becas escolares de Tradiciones Mayas. Formaron parte de un taller sobre liderazgo e iniciativa junto con las mujeres tejedoras representando cada una de las comunidades.

El taller fue impartido por Tereso Joj Cosme, Director de la Universidad del Valle de Guatemala. Tereso hablo de la importancia de identificar los problemas prioritarios de cada comunidad, decidir conjuntamente la urgencia de cada uno de ellos, analizar las causas que los crearon y buscar soluciones practicas para cada uno de ellos.
Tambien hablo de la importancia de expresar la opinion de cada uno y escuchar las opiniones del resto de la comunidad para poner ideas en comun y llegar a un acuerdo safisfactorio antes de ponerse manos a la obra.
Fue impresionante ver el nivel de interes, implicacion y participacion tanto de los jovenes como de las mujeres, todos ellos estan ansiosos por generar cambios positivos en sus comunidades!

En la foto podeis ver a los estudiantes que participaron. Esas caras representan el futuro de Guatemala. Todos ellos sueñan con ir a la Universidad para mejorar su futuro y poder cambiar las cosas en sus comunidades, pero tambien son conscientes de sus limitaciones economicas.

A Aracely le gustaria estudiar Derecho, pero cuando se gradue este año, necesita ponerse a trabajar para ayudar a pagar los estudios de su hermana pequeña.

A Rodolfo le gustaria ser un agroculturista, quiere ir a la Universidad de Costa Rica, pero la beca que le conceden solo cubre el 60% del precio en dolares US. Tambien tiene una idea para montar una empresa de gallinas ponedoras en su comunidad.

A Lorenzo, que quiere convertirse en profesor, le preocupa enormemente el problema de las drogas y el alcoholismo en su comunidad, ha visto a niños de 10 años bebiendo y fumando...el quiere un futuro mejor para el y los suyos.

Cada uno de ellos tiene una historia que contar y todos ellos se merecen una oportundiad para un futuro mejor. Por todo ello vuestra financiacion y vuestras donaciones son tan importantes para ellos.

Maya Traditions Founder Wins Outstanding Service to the Fair Trade Community Award

2010-10-18T12:18:00.000-07:00

Last month, at the Boston Fair Trade Futures Conference, our Founder, Jane Mintz was awarded the Special Award: Outstanding Service to the Fair Trade Community.
The award was given "In memory of Jane's boundless commitment to changing the lives of women in Guatemala through the preservation of traditional weaving and the expansion of economic opportunities."
Our friend (and co-owner of the enormously successful fair-trade wholesale business Global Crafts) Renice Jones accepted the award on Jane´s behalf.
We are honored that Jane´s dedication to our Guatemalan artisans, as well as her hard work in so many other areas (education, health, and poverty to name a few) have been recognized.
Jane is still our thoughts and hearts as we work to continue what she began so many years ago.
Thank you to the FTF for your recognition.

In Memorium of Jane Mintz

1943-2009

Leadership and Iniciative Project/Workshop #4: Design and Implementation of Leadership Projects

2010-10-15T14:51:00.000-07:00

Starting on October 20th Maya Traditions will begin holding the remaining four workshops of its Leadership and Initiative Project for 2010. The participants of the workshops are 9 youth and 6 women that have been identified as strong leaders from the six communities with which Maya Traditions works ( Chirijox, Quiejel, Santa Clara, San Juan la Laguna,Patanatic and Chuacruz). The overall objective of the workshops are for the participants to identify and prioritize the problems affecting their communities and work together to develop projects to address an solve these problems. Dates for the rest of the 2010 workshops will be determined on the twentieth. For more information about our our Leadership and Initiative Project or about our Education Program in general, pleas contact Dora Martinez at dora@tradicionesmayas.org.

Upcoming Events!!!

2010-10-14T11:18:00.001-07:00

November is our continuation of our leadership training for Maya Traditions scholarship students. More details to come...
In other news, our Production Director is a nominated recipient to attend the TINKUY de TEJEDORES: A Gathering of Weavers in Peru's Sacred Valley! We hope she receives this honor.
In addition, we are hoping to be selected to attend the Fair Trade Conference in Bilbao, Spain in late November.
In December we will have a Benefit Concert with special guests: Grammy Award Nominee Giovanni Pinzon and Pablo Robledo, Pat Volpi, and Josue Eleazar Aguilar to promote our new Environmental Initiative: “Reciclando para Mejorar Mi Mundo”.
More detail on this event will be posted separately.

Keep checking our website for more exciting events!!!

Qiejel Comunity visit/ Visita a la Comunidad Quiejel

2010-10-11T09:32:00.000-07:00

My name is Esti and I come from Northern Spain. This is my first week volunteering for Maya Traditions in Panajachel, Guatemala. The Foundation is based in Jucanya, very close to the amazingly beautiful Lake Atlitan, an area surrounded by Kakchiquel, Kiche and Tzutuhil Maya comunities.
On thursday we went to visit one of the women weavers comunities we work with. The remote Qiejel community.
I travelled with Herlinda, a Kiche Maya girl who distributes and supervises the weavers work in the different areas.
The trip to the community was an adventure for me. First we took one of the colorful local buses to Los Encuentros, which is amazing the amount of people those buses can fit!!!,Then we jumped into a van to a crossroad known as La Vuelta and once there we waited for about an hour for a pick up truck to pass by and take us to the Comunity, but there was no traffic at all so we ended up walking for another hour through a forest road.
We finally arrived at the remote comunity of 5 women ( Sebastiana Morales, her daughter Yolanda Kalgua, Maria Macario, Elena Morales and Maria Tol) who were paciently weaving while waiting for us. There was a little kid with them named Nestor who, as soon as he saw us coming started crying. Apparently he thought I was a doctor going to give him an injection!. I gave him some "healthy" cookies and he was fine. Nestor gave me an "unhealthy" apple in return. :)
The meeting with the women was in Kiche language.Herlinda distributed the work and listened to the women concerns. The Fundation provides them with high quality thread, works with them on the designs and the women put their artistic skills to work. My hard work was to take some photos so that whoever is reading this gets to know these beautiful women.

On the way back we jumped onto one of those trucks full of standing people on the back. It was quite a ride,very exiting for a newlyarrived volunteer!

Mi nombre es Esti y vengo del Pais Vasco. Esta es mi primera semana como voluntaria en Tradiciones Maya con base en Panajachel, Guatemala. La fundaciòn esta en el barrio de Jucan Ya, muy cerquita del maravilloso Lago Atlitan, rodeado de aldeas predominantemente Maya de habla Kiche, Kakchiquel y Tzutuhil.
El jueves pasado visitamos la Comunidad Quiejel. Una remota comunidad de mujeres tejedoras que tabaja dentro de la Fundacion.
Realicè el viaje con Herlinda, una mujer Maya Kiche que se encarga de distribuir y supervisar el trabajo de las mujeres en las diferentes comunidades.
El viaje fue toda una aventura para mi.Primero tomamos uno de los coloridos autobuses locales hasta Los Encuentros, es increible la cantidad de gente que puede caber en esos pequeños asientos! Despues viajamos en una furgoneta hasta un cruce de carreteras conocido como La Vuelta y alli esperamos sin fortuna a que pasara una furgoneta para llevarnos hasta la comunidad. Despues de casi una hora de espera decidimos empezar a caminar por una frondosa carretera local rodeada de vegetacion. Para cuando llegamos a la comunidad las 5 mujeres, Sebastiana Morales, su hija Yolanda Kalgua, Maria Macario, Elena Morales y Maria Tol estaban pacientemente esperando mientras hablaban y tejian.
Con ellas estaba Nestor, un nieto de Sebastiana que empezò a llorar en cuanto nos vio llegar. Pensò que habiamos ido hasta alli para ponerle una vacuna!... Le di unas galletas y se tranquilizò. El me dio una manzana a cambio.:)

La reuniòn con las mujeres se llevo a cabo en lengua Kiche. Herlinda distribuyò el trabajo y tomo nota de las demandas y preocupaciones de las mujeres.La fundacion les da hilo de gran calidad y trabaja con ellas en los diseños de los productos. Despues son ellas las que ponen en marcha su dominio del tejido y su creatividad para realizar el trabajo. Mi dura tarea esta vez fue sacar unas fotos para que quienes esteis leyendo este blog conozcais a estas maravillosas mujeres.
El camino de vuelta lo realizamos en una camioneta llena de gente viajando de pie en su parte trasera. Por suerte hacia un dia precioso. Toda una aventura para una voluntaria recièn llegada a Guatemala!

Seeking Bookkeeper/Necesitamos contable!

2010-09-30T15:32:00.000-07:00

We are seeking an experienced bookkeeper who is bilingual in English and Spanish. The ideal candidate has extensive knowledge of Quickbooks and a background in working with fund accounting, cost accounting, manufacturing, and/or not-for-profit accounting.
The hours are flexible and will require approximately 5-10 hours per week or less. However, during the initial transition, more will be needed. Pay will depend on experience.
Minorities and women encouraged to apply.
Estamos buscando un contable con experiencia y preferimos que el/ella es bilingüe en Inglés y Español. El candidato/a ideal tiene un amplio conocimiento de Quickbooks y experiencia con la contabilidad de fondos, contabilidad de gastos, la fabricación y / o contabilidad de organizaciones sin fines de lucro.
El horario es flexible y se requieren aproximadamente 15-20 horas por semana o menos. Sin embargo, durante la transición inicial, se necesitará más. El sueldo dependerá de la experiencia

Additional Qualifications:

Applicant should show proficiency in
QuickBooks, Excel, and MS Word.
El solicitante debe demostrar habilidad
en QuickBooks, Excel, y MS Word.

How to Apply:

Please send detailed resume and cover letter to: robin@mayatraditions.org.
Por favor enviar curriculum vitae y detallada carta de presentación a:robin@mayatraditions.org.

Volunteers Needed!

2010-08-27T13:59:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity during your stay in Panajachel? Come work with us and be a part of an organization that works to support indigenous women through Fair Trade.
We are seeking:

Bilingual volunteers who are fluent in Spanish and English to help with document translations
Volunteers with a background in medicinal herbs
A computer savvy volunteer to help with updating publications
A skilled market research volunteer

Please email Robin at robin@mayatraditions.org if you are interested!

Fair Trade Show in Guatemala!

2010-08-19T08:31:00.000-07:00

Are you a buyer interested in Fair Trade goods? Come visit us at the New World Crafts Central American Fair Trade show in September ! The feria is being held in historic Antigua, Guatemala at the Hotel Casa Santo Domingo on September 8th and 9th. Come see our new line and, if you have time, participate in a tour of beautiful Lake Atitlan before or after the show. You can take a tour to some of our artisans' villages, or just visit our store and gardens in beautiful Panajachel and receive a demonstration in back strap weaving!

Please email robin@mayatraditions.org for more information!!
We hope to see you there!

Photo courtesy of smilefactory.com/gt

¿Ud. es una mayorista que está interesada en comprar productos de comercio justo? ¡Visítenos en la Feria Comercio Justo de New World Crafts en Antigua, Guatemala en Septiembre! La feria esta en Hotel Casa Santo Domingo el 8 y 9 de Septiembre. Ven a ver nuestro nuevo linea de productos, y, si tienes tiempo, participar en una gira del hermoso Lago de Atitlan antes o después de la feria. ¡Puede hacer una gira de algunos de los pueblos de nuestros artesanas, o visite nuestra taller y jardin en la bella Panajachel y recibe una demostración en tejido de cintura!

¡¡Para obtener más información, envíe un correo a robin@mayatraditions.org!!
¡Esperamos verlos allí!

Upcoming Fair Trade Tour!

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Fundación Tradiciones Mayas (FTM) invites you to explore the culture and artisan communities of

Guatemala

through a unique, 10 day Fair Trade and Textile Tour from Sunday 24^th of October to Tuesday 2^nd of November 2010.

Please join us as we at FTM, and the communities we support, open the doors for a rare insight into the culture of Guatemala and the weaving tradition of the back strap loom. This tour promotes the importance of Fair Trade and culturally aware eco-travel within the region and enables master weavers of Guatemala to share their knowledge as cultural guardians and educators.

You will have a chance to explore an ancient Maya site and the charming city of Antigua Guatemala, as well as the lakeside villages of Lake Atitlan with all their beauty and diversity. Take this opportunity to spend Halloween in Guatemala and experience the incredible SUMPANGO KITE FESTIVAL.

Cost: US$1439

INCLUDES: most meals, airport transfer, in-country transportation, accommodations, fluent bilingual tour guide, entrance to Maya ruins and pre departure booklet.

EXCLUDES: Airfare, tips and free day activity expenses

See below for trip itinerary:

FUNDACIÓN TRADICIONES MAYAS- FAIR TRADE AND TEXTILE TOUR

*Maximum group size 12 people*

DAY 1- WELCOME TO GUATEMALA

Our tour facilitator will greet you at Guatemala’s La Aurora International Airport and transport you to charming Antigua Guatemala. After you check into the hotel we will have an orientation session before enjoying our first group dinner together.

DAY 2 – MAYAN RUINS, ARCHAEOLOGY & BEAUTIFUL VISTAS

On the way to the town of Panajachel (a 3 hour ride from Antigua) we will stop at the Maya archaeological site of Iximche, explore the site and museum, and enjoy a picnic lunch. Iximché was the capital of the Maya Kaqchikel nation during the Post classic period and was the settlement of Guatemala’s first Capital City. Explorations, excavations, and restoration of the site began in 1960 and continue to date. Many structures are still covered by lush vegetation. Afterwards we will continue on the road making a brief stop at the Mirador of San Jorge, overlooking Lake Atitlan, before arriving to settle in the town of Panajachel.

(photo courtesy of Jascha Tabor)

DAY 3 - UNDERSTANDING FAIR TRADE AND THE WORK OF FTM

Start the day with a breathtaking tour of our medicinal plant garden and learn more about our Health Project. Learn more about Fair Trade and the work of Maya Traditions with anthropologist Martha Lynd. Appreciate the art of back strap weaving and its intricacies as you learn about, observe and get to know some of the artisans FTM works with. After enjoying a traditional lunch with staff and artisans have an opportunity to peruse FTM’s fair trade store before we make our way across the lake to the magical Casa del Mundo Hotel where we will spend the night.

DAY 4 - EXPLORING SAN JUAN LA LAGUNA AND A FAIR TRADE JEWELRY COOPERATIVE

After enjoying the morning at the Casa del Mundo, , perched on the cliffs of the lake, relaxing, swimming or kayaking we will take a boat further across the beautiful Lake Atitlan to the Tz’utujil Maya community of San Juan la Laguna to met the women artisans FTM works with. We will experience the creation of back strap woven products by observing all the different steps involved in creating the amazing products that our San Juan group produces as well as a demonstration of the natural dye technique particular to this village. Enjoy lunch in a local “comedor” before some free time to wander this enchanting lakeside village and its art galleries and cooperatives. We will then visit San Pedro La Laguna to learn more about a small Fair Trade cooperative working with beautiful beading and jewelry before taking the boat back to Panajachel.

DAY 5 – FTM ARTISAN COOPERATIVES IN SOLOLA AND CHICHICASTENANGO

After breakfast, travel to Chuacruz to meet graduates from our scholarship program - sons and daughters of women participating in our artisan groups. Learn about the successes of the widows in the Solola group by visiting their community house and land. We will then enjoy a packed lunch in the community before traveling on to visit the isolated community of artisans in Quiejel that FTM works with as you have a chance to experience what life is like in the highlands. This is another opportunity to gain an understanding of the way in which Fair Trade has impacted on the lives of the artisans FTM supports.

DAY 6 – FAIR TRADE COOPERATIVE ASOCIACION MAYA AND TRADITIONAL SOLOLA MARKET DAY

Travel on local transport to the nearby town of Solola to first visit the Fair Trade Cooperative of Asociacion Maya that makes many chenille products. Learn more about their long history and their amazing achievements. After visiting the cooperative you will have time to wander around the traditional market of Solola where every Tuesday and Friday people from the surrounding villages converge to sell and buy their produce. We will return to Panajachel where you will have some free time before we meet up for dinner.

DAY 7 – CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE!

Day 6 is a free day and we are able to help arrange any adventure you may choose. Some options include zip lining at the nature reserve in Panajachel, mountain biking and or hiking around the lake, weaving classes, kayaking, visiting the Mayan Deity of Maximon in Santiago Atitlan or simply relaxing by the lake!

DAY 8- CHICHICASTENANGO MARKET DAY

Visit the famous market of Chichicastenango in the area of Quiche where you can witness the mix of Mayan and Latino cultures most evident by visiting the churches, cemetery and the colorful market. See how the blend of traditional and modern cultures and the vibrancy of the market day make this the most visited market in Guatemala. On our return to Panajachel we will visit the cemetery in the early evening to witness how Halloween is celebrated Guatemalan style on this very important family holiday to remember and celebrate the life of those no longer with us.

DAY 9- SUMPANGO KITE FESTIVAL & RETURN TO ANTIGUA

Take an early start to attend the annual SUMPANGO KITE FESTIVAL, witness the beauty of the gigantic kites as you partake in a festival of All Souls Day. Fly your own kite as kites up to 20 feet in diameter are flown in a competetion to see whose kite makes it the furtherest. The kites are believed to be a vehicle for speaking with the souls of departed loved ones and represent the floating spirits of the dead.

We will arrive in Antigua in the late afternoon before we have our Farewell Dinner.

(Photo courtesy of John Reardon)

DAY 10 COME BACK SOON!

Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Guatemala City, Aurora International Airport, for your flight home, or continue your journey!

For more information about Fundacion Tradiciones Mayas please see www.mayatraditions.org. For a registration form please email:

marcelle@mayatraditions.org

Who Are We?

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Maya Traditions(Fundación Tradiciones Mayas)was founded 13 years ago by Jane Mintz. Jane was a long time social worker, and later became a tapestry weaver and teacher. She began this Foundation during the civil war in Guatemala. Her hope was to help support the women and families suffering during those dark years.
Today, Maya Traditions works with approximately 90 women in six villages in Guatemala. The women are skilled artisans in backstrap weaving, Ikat dye, crochet, and basketry. Their work is sold through our Foundation in the form of purses, wallets, belts, home goods, scarves, and many other accessories. In return, the women receive a fair wage and education scholarships for their children, health services and education, and training in design and marketing. Our goal is to help pull the women and their future generations out of poverty by helping them gain the skills that they need for success while keeping their roots in their traditions.
For more information on our products, please visit mayatraditions.org