Worms for Widows

"Worms for Widows" is underway in Chajul, Guatemala!

A key element of the project is the sharing of traditional Ixil Mayan basketry and repurposing the baskets to hold worms that can produce fertile soil using local resources. This is traditionally a male craft, so these are brave women who are learning baskets.  You can see the male instructor in the first colorful photo attached. He taught them how to collect and treat the vines gathered on the mountain, and prepare them for weaving. Initial project funds from GlobalGiving were used to pay the instructor and buy some materials needed for the weaving process.

The second attached photo shows a cooking class organized by our Guatemalan partner organization, ASO-Ixil. The women shown here are some of the gardening beneficiaries who will receive seeds, worms, and gardening support. Our partners recognize that vegetables are not always seen as an important part of the diet except during special holiday occasions and dishes. Growers may be more likely to sell garden harvests than eat them. This is OK too, as the money is very much needed. But with a little training, women can learn to incorporate vegetables into typical dishes. 

The video link to this report shows women in Chajul making a dish using local ground cornmeal, a dietary staple, wrapped up in swiss chard grown in their gardens. We're so impressed with this part of the work!

The third photo shows results from the gardens. The man holding the cauliflower here is the son of one of the widows participating in the program, who came to help with his machete and strong back. What an amazing harvest! Cauliflower is a top-five vegetable in Vitamin C content and also will fetch a great price in the local market.

Thanks again for helping us fund this microproject, Worms for Widows, we are honored to have your support. 

Links:

• Making boxbol from swiss chard leaves