By Jeannie Balanda | Executive Director
MayaWorks artisans in the central highlands of Guatemala apply for microcredit loans so that they can expand their capacity to take on more work. Artisans will use their loans to buy new looms and to purchase parts of the loom that help them create new products such as heddles, shuttles and combs.
Take for example, Rosa, who purchased a new loom so that she could learn to weave a product that she has never made before: the Jewish prayer shawl called a tallit or tallis. Rosa needed a special loom to make this product that is used by the Jewish communty during religious services. She spent many hours practicing her technique but now she is confident that she has another product that she can weave that will help her contribute to her family's income.
Rosa is not the only one in her community who reinvests in her business. Natalia also purchases new looms to expand her capacity to weave. She has a loom that she uses exclusively to create yards of fabric to make conference bags and another that she uses to weave fabrics for baby bibs, hats and booties.
Weaving for Rosa and Natalia is more that just a source of income. Weaving centers them, it takes their mind off their troubles and it validates their worth as fully contributing members of their communities.
Thank you for supporting MayaWorks microcredit loan projects!.
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