Perspectives for women


To this day, Mayan women are the guardians of the ancient art of weaving. Over countless centuries and generations they passed on their knowledge to their daughters and have been able to preserve many elements from the Mayan culture up to the present day. Weaving is often the only way to contribute to the livelihood of their familiesBy creating a regular income for Mayan women, we improve not only their future but also that of their families and future generations.

Jennifer

Master of Backstrap Weaving

Juana

Master of Backstrap Weaving

Yeniffer 

Master of Backstrap Weaving


Transparency and Social impact

Creating work alone is not enough. In order to achieve long-term changes for indigenous communities, we are raising the standards of the craft industry in Guatemala by ensuring regular payment based on a fair hourly wage. Our exclusive edition of 200 bags per month creates fixed monthly incomes for 14 weavers and tailors - and this is just the beginning! We are aiming to scale our impact and create even more well paid jobs through the traditional art of weaving.

DOUBLING AND IN MANY CASES EVEN TRIPLING THE PREVIOUS INCOME WHILE REDUCING WORKING HOURS TO 20 HOURS (5-DAY WEEK).

WE RAISE THE STANDARDS WITHIN THE CRAFT INDUSTRY BY ENSURING CONTINUOUS WORK AND PREDICTABLE MONTHLY INCOME. ADDITIONALLY, WE ENSURE 15 DAYS OF PAID HOLIDAYS.

HOUSEWORK AND CHILDCARE IS POSSIBLE TO COMBINE FOR MOTHERS WORKING FROM HOME.

OUR GOAL: FROM BREAK-EVEN, PROFITS WILL FLOW INTO SOCIAL PROGRAMS & THE LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE ARE IN DIRECT PERSONAL CONTACT WITH ALL PERSONS INVOLVED IN THE PRODUCTION. THIS ENABLES TRANSPARENCY AND JOINT SOLUTIONS.

WOMEN REINVEST UP TO 90% OF THEIR INCOME INTO THEIR FAMILY. THEIR INCOME CREATES INDEPENDENCE AND IMPROVES FAMILY LIFE SITUATIONS.

WE PRODUCE WHERE CRAFTS(WO)MANSHIP HAS ITS ORIGIN AND WORK IS URGENTLY NEEDED.

WE SAVE OUR FEW REMAINING MATERIALS FOR REUSE IN E.G. UP-CYCLING PROJECTS.

Social Business Activism

We believe that global social change is possible through social entrepreneurship and a shift in thinking on the demand side. As a social business, we want to do our part to contribute to a more conscious society. One in which the economy serves the people, rather than exploiting them, in which we know how and under what conditions the products we buy are being manufactured, positive impact creation is part of the strategy and profits are mainly used for the common good.

CONTRIBUTION TO THE UN SUSTAINABILITY GOALS

We create work through the ancient art of Mayan weaving, especially for indigenous women in Guatemala. We work on the goals SDG-1: End poverty in all its forms and everywhere and SDG-5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls to achieve self-determination.

CULTURAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS INITIATIVE

As part of the initiative, we contribute to the preservation of traditional Mayan weaving in Guatemala by making the craft a sustainable source of income, valuing and officially recognizing the origin of the techniques and designs as well as the practitioners of Mayan arts and crafts.

1% FOR THE AMAZON & INDIGENOUS RIGHTS

We support the important work of Amazon Watch - a non-profit organisation that protects and preserves the rainforest and advances the rights of Indigenous peoples in the Amazon Basin.

FAIR HOURLY WAGE

To improve living conditions in the long term and to ensure a fair income, we use the latest data from the Global Living Wage Coalition. The non-profit organisation regularly checks what income the people in Guatemala need to escape from the cycle of poverty.