Longterm Accompaniment: Indigenous Entrepreneurs

The social and economic development of Indigenous women continues to advance thanks to a comprehensive process that takes advantage of our strengths and virtues, providing them with a space of empowerment where entrepreneurs make the best decisions to make their businesses sustainable.

Josefa, the artisan of “Ixqueem” baskets, with the support of AMA, has improved the quality of her products, has identified a fair price that allows her to obtain profits, is implementing marketing strategies to make herself known in the market such as having a logo that identifies her venture and, most important, has a significant investment.

The impact of the investment in raw materials for her business has been notable, as it has expanded her production capacity, and given her the freedom to explore new designs. Josefa has strengthened its connection with its audience with a wider range of designs and colors, experiencing a positive change of attention from her clients. 

One of the main learnings she has obtained in the process is to carefully select the most in-demand products allowing her to adjust the approach according to customer preferences and establish lasting relationships with those who most appreciate her products. Her visionary spirit seeks to continue producing innovative designs and expand into new national and international markets. She has already begun to deliver the products wholesale, in the departments of Chimaltenango and Totonicapán in Guatemala.

The beauty of these investments towards Indigenous entrepreneurs lies in the fact that it is not a loan with high interest that takes their peace of mind, but rather a seed capital, as genuine support for a talented entrepreneur. By supporting Josefa and other artisan producers, you are investing in a business with a vision of sustainability and growth.

Thanks to your contribution, we will continue to empower indigenous women and strengthen their communities.

With our long-term accompaniment program, we facilitate both skill training and a mutual support network. 

One aspect of this program is the Pixan weaving cooperative, giving women the chance to join a community centered around self-determination and new opportunities. On February 1st, our partners hosted an artisan market featuring work created by women in the Pixan weaving cooperative. This showcased work from jewelry to fabric and home goods. With this wide range of products, the female artisans were able to not only create products that provided them with monetary profit but also helped them develop self-sufficiency skills.

Dickinson College recently went on a service trip to help with our ongoing stove-building project. These clean burning stoves help reduce dangers of cooking with open fire stoves. With their visit to Xela, they were able to help build stoves and learn more about the local culture. Once stoves were constructed, members of the community showed the volunteers different recipes to try out the new stoves. They showed volunteers how to make Pepian, a Guatemalan spiced chicken stew.  

Donations to this program allow us to provide resources and materials for these markets and circles to happen. With your support, we can hold space for these women to share their stories and lift each other. It allows us to get the supplies we need to provide families with stoves. It not only allows them to cook and provide food for themselves but also reduces the dangers of cooking with open-flame stoves.