Ergonomic benches for Mexican backstrap weavers

Networking update: The organization in Chiapas, Mexico that contacted Synergo Arts to propose a collaboration at the end of last year continues to express interest in the ergonomic bench project.  Alas, though, they've had internal changes in personnel and program priorities which are delaying the potential collaboration.  While leaving the door open with that organization, Synergo Arts is now, once again, working to identify other opportunities for local partnerships through which to give the local indigenous people access to this project.

We are continuing to work toward this goals because our ongoing contacts with individuals and small groups of indigenous Mexican weavers continues to verify that the people themselves want to have access to the ergonomic bench!!  The missing ingredients are (1) funding, and (2) a local collaborating organization. We welcome your ideas for securing these missing ingredients.  Please share your thought by email (info@synergoarts.org), or email me at that same address to set up a date for a phone conversation. 

Video now on YouTube: Have you seen our 1-minute demo of backstrap weaving with the ergonomic bench?  To view it on YouTube, please click the link below!

Exciting opportunity: Thank you so much for your support.  In case you'd like to donate again (and we hope you will!) I wanted to let you know that on June 15th, globalgiving.org will be matching all donations at 30% up to $1,000 per donor per project while funds last.  (Please note: donations made on globalgiving.co.uk or any GlobalGiving corporate sites including Nike, Global Action Atlas, etc. are NOT eligible for matching.)  There will be $75,000 available in matching funds. If you would like to participate in this opportunity, we encourage you to get donations in early, because matching funds will likely run out before the end of the day.

Links:

• bench project video now on YouTube

I am excited to share with you the news that a potential collaborator in Chiapas contacted Synergo Arts late last year.  We are in the very early stages of sorting out the possibilities for how we may be able to work together to enable the local people to implement the bench project in Mexico.  One of the early steps is likely to be meeting on-site with that organization, weavers, and carpenters from the community.  I'll look forward to keeping you informed as this possibility evolves.

Thank you for your patience during the long trajectory of getting this project moving in Mexico. To read about the kind of success we are working toward in Mexico, please visit this link to the January update from the bench project in Guatemala: http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/artisan-backstrap-weaving-women-health-culture/updates/ .

Happy new year!