MayaWorks is about Mayan artisans – women and men striving to improve their lives – despite obstacles such as grinding poverty and illiteracy. MayaWorks groups are organized in many Guatemalan villages because of the considerable strengths of Mayan women, their traditional weaving capabilities, their desire to learn modern business practices, and their determination to benefit their families and communities.
MayaWorks is about partnership and global friends who promote and purchase the colorful, attractive, affordable products of the Mayan artisans. Volunteers who display and sell the items in their local communities provide a critical contribution: a fair trade marketplace through which beautiful craft work can be exchanged for income returned directly to the artisans. Friends of Mayaworks far beyond the Highlands of Guatemala proudly wear and use items made by Mayan artisans.
MayaWorks is about interweaving lives in spite of apparent barriers of distance, language and culture. MayaWorks provides opportunities for all involved to discover one world through sharing our common concerns for health, literacy, dignity and justice. The singular goal of MayaWorks is contributing to Mayan artisans’ economic security by creating substantial and sustainable markets for their products.
What makes MayaWorks Unique?
MayaWorks is much more than just an outlet for Mayan products. The commitment of MayaWorks-U.S. and MayaWorks-Guatemala to the economic development of women and girls goes far beyond the exchange of money for goods made in Guatemala. MayaWorks believes that community development happens through the economic development of women who otherwise have limited ways to participate or contribute to the economic stability of their families. Giving women an opportunity to earn an income from their skills gives them self-confidence and hope for themselves, their children, their family and their village.
MayaWorks provides opportunity and financial support for artisans to gain business and leadership skills. Through meetings and workshops, sponsored or paid for by MayaWorks, artisans build their business expertise.
MayaWorks is committed to the promotion of information about Guatemala through regular communication with volunteers and distribution of information at sales of MayaWorks products.
Through MayaWorks tours, U.S. women are introduced to the Mayan women who create the products sold in the U.S.. In the hearing of the life stories of the Guatemalan women and visiting in their villages and homes, U.S. women strengthen their commitment and return home to promote MayaWorks with increased passion and dedication.
