Ergonomic benches for Guatemalan backstrap weavers

Summary

This project: teaches carpenters how to make the ergonomic bench. It trains weavers to use the bench to protect their health and increase their income potential, while also preserving weaving culture.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

The ergonomic bench provides indigenous weavers with relief from pain and physical disability. Unlike the traditional kneeling posture, the ergonomic bench works in harmony with the body. It enables women to produce more textiles of better quality and increase their ability to provide for their families, while preserving their culture. We help carpenters learn to make the bench and we teach weavers to train each other to use the bench well, so that local communities can be self sufficient.

How will this project solve this problem?

We provide an educational resource kit to help carpenters increase their skills & livelihood while ensuring that the ergonomic features of the bench are preserved. We provide training to enable women to get maximum benefit from using the bench.

Potential Long Term Impact

The ergonomic bench helps women increase family income, safely. This project helps local carpenters make benches for women in their communities, & helps women protect their own health while providing better nutrition & education for their children.

Project Message

What used to take me three days to weave now takes two. With the bench I can weave for hours with no pain! My weaving comes out better, with straighter edges and more evenly packed weft.
- Maria, Project beneficiary

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).

Resources