Ergonomic benches for Guatemalan backstrap weavers

Dear Donors,

In December our local Mayan collaborator Juana Ramos and I evaluated this project on-site in Guatemala. We focused in the Lake Atitlan region, with folks who are involved in the independent making, selling and promotion of the ergonomic weaving bench. Women received us in their homes. They showed us how they weave, and talked about what the bench means to them.

In San Pedro La Laguna we discovered three friends who share one bench. Doñas Manuela, Juana and María weave together every day, taking turns using the ergonomic bench. "No pain, less fatigue, focusing more on the quality of our work, and getting more done each day" – these are what they love about weaving with the ergonomic bench. Will it be even better once each woman has a bench of her own? Sure! But how great is it that they’ve designed a rotation that gives each of them a turn every third day! Juana Ramos spent a couple of hours with this group, helping each woman fine-tune the fit of the bench. Before we left, each woman wrote her name on the bench, next to the holes that correspond to the adjustment for her height. That will make it quick and easy for each woman to set-up the bench when it’s her turn to use it.

Juana and I are also in touch with the folks of the project in Cajola. They mentioned that eventually they’d like to be able to bring Juana back to help them promote the bench outside their local community. The men’s carpentry shop Arbol de Talento, that makes the benches in Cajola, is currently focusing on evolving the management of their business. The women’s cooperative, Maya Mam Weavers, works together every day, in a building that has separate rooms for backstrap weaving, floor loom weaving, and sewing. Their backstrap weaving room houses an ergonomic bench for each woman! Several of the women are also purchasing benches to use in their own homes because, “we just can't get used to using the bench at work and not having it at home.”

One of the most important observations to come out of our evaluation is that the time has come for the Mayan people themselves be the ones whose initiative carries this project forward and determines its future outcomes. Synergo Arts has been privileged to facilitate this project, and will continue to assist their efforts if requested and as resources will allow, from the sidelines. Juana Ramos is developing a plan for increasing her educational outreach at local and regional levels. I have felt honored and privileged to work so closely with members of the indigenous communities of Guatemala, on a project that is so significant to their culture.

THANK YOU for helping us help these artisans protect their health, increase their income potential and preserve their culture. Please feel free to remain in touch via email at: synergoarts@gmail.com .

To our generous donors,

Thank you so much for your kindness in support of the ergonomic bench project.

In December, Synergo Arts and our local collaborator Juana Ramos will evaluate the project in Guatemala.  We'll offer additional technical support in the two communities where benches are being made, and visit as many of the women as possible who weave with the bench.

This evaluation is important, but so is a celebration of the turning point we have reached.  After nine years of perseverance together in Guatemala, the local Mayan people will now carry on the project independent of outside support.  This is a major milestone.

We're not quite there yet, though.  We hope to raise at least $1,100 by the end of November, to expand the reach of our volunteer's efforts in December.

If you can, would you please donate again, to help us make the most of this upcoming work on-site with indigenous Guatemalan weavers and carpenters?

Thank you again for your support!

Links:

• 10-minute Educational video in English on YouTube
• 10-minute Educational video in Spanish on YouTube

Thanks for your support!

Here’s a brief update.

The report from Cajolá is, “we’re making progress, step by step,” plus several gratifying ripple effects:

• Last year a small group of Mayan men got together to learn how to make the ergonomic weaving bench in Cajolá.  Thanks to their hard work and dedication, their shop Arbol de Talento (Talent Tree) has grown to employ 7 carpenters and 2 apprentices, and their product line has expanded.  They report:  “we are constructing a showroom in town where we will be able to sell the ergonomic benches and show samples of our furniture. There will also be a space for MayaMam Weavers to have a showcase for their products.”
• The fabric created by the women of MayaMam Weavers Cooperative to cover the cushion of the ergonomic bench “has been so admired by everyone that sees it that we have been thinking of other products that might incorporate it.”  For example, a local restaurant has commissioned some table linens, and a vest was worn as a waistcoat at a formal event in Great Britain (for more info please click the link below to visit the blog of MayaMam Weavers).
• The MayaMam weavers have been growing in self esteem as they gain public speaking and teaching experience while promoting the bench in their local Mayan language, “Mam.”  Their desire to teach women outside their community has helped motivate them to take Spanish lessons this summer. They want to have a common language to communicate directly with women from other Mayan communities and with people from outside the Mayan culture.

Currently we are preparing for a next trip to Guatemala.  We want to complete the training in Cajolá and San Pedro, and do an evaluation of the project with women who are using the bench.  We are seeking additional funds for transport and volunteer expenses.

Please donate again now if you can!

Thanks for all you do.

Links:

• MayaMam Weavers' handmade cloth becomes famous!