New skills for indigenous women weavers, Guatemala

On Tuesday, March 16, all donations up to $1,000 per donor, per project will be matched. Donate on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, and maximize your gift. International Women's Day was this week, and to celebrate amazing and strong women and girls, we want to update you on the reports that training in sewing and advanced foot-loom has been largely successful. 17 women participated in training in advanced sewing and 20 women participated in advanced foot loom training, which included courses on: o implementing color and pattern combinations in textile production o how to combine and install weaving threads onto foot loom apparatus for more diversity of product designs o new natural textile dying techniques. The same group of 20 women participated in workshops focusing on financial literacy. These workshops taught basics of business administration, and ways to maintain costs and maximize profits. These were offered alongside sessions on indigenous peoples’ identity, women’s rights and self-esteem. As a result of the workshops, the weavers have diversified arts and crafts production to 6 marketable products. These products include traditional bags, placemats and coasters, towels with embroidered decoration, cosmetic bags, and multi-use woven straps. Thanks in part to your support, the participating women have gained a new occupation in sewing and are able to sell their finished products. Through weaving, women have better opportunities to compete on the market.