Build Skills & Income by Training Guatemalan Women

Summary

Train 35 Guatemalan women in foot loom weaving to make products in high demand on the international market. Training will offer new employable skills and increase income for their families.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

Traditionally, only men are trained to use a foot loom for weaving. Foot loom weaving is faster than backstrap weaving, which women usually use to make products. When international representatives come to Guatemala to find products to export, it is the men who attract the jobs as their products can be produced quickly and in a higher volume. Women know they could weave on foot looms and access this market, if taught this skill. They can then earn more which benefits their families.

How will this project solve this problem?

Set up an intensive Foot Loom Training Program with equipment and personnel to teach this skill. Select women participants for the training. Monitor and evaluate training program every three months to track progress of women trainees.

Potential Long Term Impact

Increased income for at least 35 women, who will use it to improve families’ livelihoods. Mothers will send their children to school. Women will continue their indigenous heritage by practicing the art of weaving as a viable source of income.

Project Message

“Women want to learn new skills to have more economic opportunities to provide a better future for their children.”
- Angelina Aspuac Con, Executive Director, AFEDES

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).

Resources