Founded 2,008
Mayamam Weavers
Forests
Job Skills & Training
Poverty Alleviation
Indigenous People
Women & Girls
Economic Development
Education & Literacy
Fair Trade
Artisan/Handmade
Cooperative Ownership
Mayamam Weavers create a wide range of handwoven home goods and accessories for men, women and children, inspired by the rich colors and patterns and traditional weaving techniques of Mayan culture.
The Mayamam Weavers Impact Story
Mayamam Weavers is a women's weaving cooperative made up of backstrap, foot loom weavers and seamstresses that grew out of work Caryn was doing organizing women in Cajolá, Guatemala. We were trying to find ways the women could work towards earning wages to be able to provide a dignified life for their families. Cajolá is a community of 20,000 people but 40% of them live in the U.S. This has resulted in significant social disintegration. The women wanted to find ways to be able to stay in the community and care for their families.
They began by getting trained to use the foot loom to weave, which is normally used by men in Guatemala. Daily literacy skills training were offered and a preschool was opened to provide child care.
Over the years, the women have learned technical, artistic and managerial skills which has allowed them to operate independently. They have been earning a regular income which enables them to care for their families, as well as spend money in their own community.
They began by getting trained to use the foot loom to weave, which is normally used by men in Guatemala. Daily literacy skills training were offered and a preschool was opened to provide child care.
Over the years, the women have learned technical, artistic and managerial skills which has allowed them to operate independently. They have been earning a regular income which enables them to care for their families, as well as spend money in their own community.
Advice for New founders
"An important lesson learned is to always respect the culture that you are working in. Instead of creating "work hours," we discovered flexible schedules would allow the members of the cooperative to balance their family and social obligations with work."
Caryn Maxim
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