Empowering 27 Mayan families to overcome poverty.

In January of this year a generous donor informed us that he wanted to donate three used floor looms to the project mothers.  You probably know that most of our mothers use the tradittional backstrap loom to make the 4-5" wide belts or fajas that all local women wear.  Our moms sell these for extra income.  The floor looms would enable them to make wider products, like blankets, rugs, shawls and fabric....which would improve their skill level and their income.  So I asked them if the were interested, they were excited, and I told the donor yes. He then stated packing these large, compliclated and cumbersome objects, and at one point sent them to the ship.

That was end February.   I suppose, like any Hero's journey, there had to be a million obstacles.   At least it seems as though we have had half a million emails and phone calls with the four people who seem to be in charge of our case. And at least half a million papers that had to be copied, signed, and returned.  Then a bustle because it was decided I couldn't receive this package snce I'm not a citizen.  And solving that with help of a project employee.  Then one after another of four payments in dollars and Quetzales - totalling some 5663 in quetzales, but only $708 in dollars.  The last payment was effected yesterday after another flurry of paper submissions.   Now we wait again, and wonder where we are going to put these large objects.

One dream I have in association with this project is that I learned that the older women who have been weaving fabric for the older men's traditional shirts and jackets (see photos) are no longer as able to produce, because of their age, so there is a scarcity of this fabric.   When I hear the word "scarcity" I think Opportunity.   I am hoping some of our mothers can attain the skill to make this fabric.   Since Javier, my associate, is the expert in the pueblo at making this traditional clothing, we have the guidance we need to try to achieve this dream.   I hope!   At the least it will be a new experience for the mothers, and augment their skill and economic ability.in one way or another.   Before we begin the dismantling of the package we will follow another local tradition: a group prayer for new learnings and a good outcome.

Our community garden is going well (tho there's always something, isn't there?)  While I was gone for a month the Muni neglected to deliver water to our area of town, so we lost a number of producng plants.  But it's raining now (until October) so things are in order again.   To secure our little store better, so the mothers aren't afraid to leave their products there, we are purchasing a security camera, which evidently I will be able to see on my phone.  Hope this will help a lot.

Because we have lost several of our older boys to economic pressure and the chance to work for a man's wage, since so many of adults from this pueblo are still seeking better economic prospects in the U.S.(despite the current dangers) we are now supportng only 22 kids in school.   But those 22 are attending our saturday class regularly, learning, and enjoying.  It seems we are spendng 10-11000 Quetzales monthly ($1375) on class supplies, site expenses, and the monthly food baskets.  Our donations through GlobalGiving, even tho they are somewhat lower this year than last, seem to be just keepiing up.   And we thank all of you who help us keep providing education and nutritional assistance to our worthy moms and their kids, particularly in the area of school scholarships, which lies just outside our monthly budget.

The mothers decided to wait their Mothers' Day celebration until I returned from the states, so we did this yesterday.  They cooked a wonderful meal for the group, and played games.  I love to see these hard-workiing women laugh like young girls as they play musical chairs, and dance.  They got me up dancng in pairs, and when I went to "turn" my partner somehting happened and down! I went on the floor.  Fortunately nothing was injured, but I sure scared those moms!

Thanks once again to all of you who show faith in what we are doing by donatng.  It feels good that this little section of the world is going peacefully and well, children are going to school, and moms are able to get what they need in the market each day.   The next Matching Day to augment your donation will be July 15.   Hope to hear from you then..