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MayaWorks
MayaWorks began in 1990 with one suitcase of placemats woven by widows
whose husbands had been killed by the violence which plagued the Guatemalan
Highlands during the 1980's. A volunteer carried the suitcase back to
the U.S. and quickly sold its contents. Funding grew out of the Behrhorst
Partners for Development, founded by the late Dr. Carroll Behrhorst who
dedicated his life to the rural poor of Guatemala.
Volunteers in the US promote and sell the colorful, attractive, affordable
products made by Mayan artisans. Through entrepreneurial activity MayaWorks
has interweaved the lives of Mayan artisans and volunteers in America.
MayaWorks believes that community improvement happens through the economic
development of women who otherwise have limited ways to participate or
contribute to the economic stability of their families. Giving women
an opportunity to earn an income from their skills gives them self-confidence
and hope for themselves, their children, their family and their village.
PROJECTS
- Scholarships - Currently MayaWorks provides scholarships
to 70 girls in Comalapa, Santiago Atitlan and Aguas Calientes. These
young women have
expressed desire to become doctors, nurses, teachers, and businesswomen.
- MayaWorks
Education Fund - Ensures that the girls being assisted by
MayaWorks Scholarships will be able to continue in school as long as
they desire
and ensures that new girls will be able to join the program each year.
MayaWorks provides financial assistance to girls and their families
so that school-related expenses are not a barrier for attending school.
- Study
Center - In Comalapa, MayaWorks has established a Study Center
where girls receiving scholarships can go after school to study and
receive
help from a teacher. The girls also participate in a program which
exposes them to various career opportunities and women who can serve as role
models.
- Microloans - These small loans are helping the families
of MayaWorks' artisans to improve their day-to-day life. Microloans
help buy pigs and chickens,
bulls, strawberries, avocados and sewing machines.
There are many ways to get involved with MayaWorks.
- Become a donor- All
donations are tax deductible and contributions of any size support
volunteers and artisans.
- With a $25 dollar donation you receive the
MayaWorks newsletter by mail.
- Sign up to receive the newsletter by
e-mail.
- Volunteer to coordinate a sale.
- Use a MayaWorks Sale as a Fund Raiser
for your Organization.
REFERENCE
MayaWorks. 1 Oct. 2003 <http://www.mayaworks.org/>.
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