Guatemala


4
ARTISAN BUSINESS
PARTNERS
13
COMMUNITY
WORKSHOPS
9
YEARS OF
PARTNERSHIP
Our Partner Businesses in Guatemala focus on creating dignified work for people in their communities, with an emphasis on hiring women. Because of the portability of their projects, the women are able to work almost anywhere, from their homes to the local market. This flexibility allows them to become breadwinners for their families while being able to care for their young children at home.

OVER 50% GROWTH FROM 2019 TO 2020
for one Artisan Business Partner due to customer purchases of 4,340 Drifter Makeup Bags and 3,671 Laguna Jewelry Pouches

$16,440 DONATED IN 2020
for COVID-19 relief, eye exams and glasses, and IJM Field Office support




Artisan Stories



Guatemala

Angelica

Guatemala

Ana

Guatemala

Rosario



Techniques


Handwoven Textiles

Our Artisan Partners harness their local weaving heritage to create beautiful handmade scarves. For some of our styles, the women create natural dyes using flowers, berries and bark – resulting in vibrant colors that reflect the bounty of their lakeside village.



Beadwork

In Guatemala, young girls grow up watching their mothers and grandmothers create traditional crafts by hand. To make our jewelry, Artisans use glass beads and delicate handmade looms to create intricate designs.




Guatemala on Flourish

AMBASSADOR TRAVELOGUE: EMPOWERING WOMEN IN GUATEMALA

WHY WE GO: BROOKE VAN GRONINGEN IN GUATEMALA

BEYOND A PARTNERSHIP: AMBASSADOR TRIP TO GUATEMALA




Inside Guatemala

Guatemala

Guatemala is a small Central American country whose name translates to "land of trees" in the Maya-Toltec language.

Both the chocolate bar and blue denim were invented in Guatemala.

Many rural Guatemalans are financially dependent upon unreliable cash crops like coffee. When coffee prices crashed in the late ‘90s, an economic depression swept the country.

Because their farmer husbands are often unable to earn enough to support their families, many rural women need reliable work. But because of their domestic responsibilities, they need flexible work they can do from home—which is difficult to come by.

COUNTRIES & TECHNIQUES
Afghanistan Hand Embroidered Textiles
East Asia Gold Plating
Ecuador Natural Seeds
Ethiopia Leather, Upcycled Artillery
Guatemala Handwoven Textiles, Beadwork
Haiti Beading, Hand Cut Leather
India Handmade Metal & Glass, Hand Cut Leather
Kenya Brass
Mexico Leather
Nepal Traditional Metalworking, Inlay
Peru Hand Embroidered Textiles, Brass & Sterling Silver
Rwanda Dutch Wax Print Fabric
Thailand Porcelain, Gold, Rice Paper
Uganda Paper Beads, Ethically Sourced Horn
Vietnam Ethically Sourced Water Buffalo Horn, Marble