In 2009, I was  asked to meet with a new group of around twenty women in Chimaltenango, Guatemala, all of whom were displaced, orphaned or widowed during the decades of war. They have appropriately named their group “Corazon de Mujer” (Women’s Heart/Soul), since their goal has been to support each other emotionally, financially and in every other way. These are strong women, all of whom have seen a parent, child or other family member killed (unfortunately a common experience among the rural Maya people) but who have persevered and are motivated to improve their lives. In 1991 they moved from the outlying  villages to Chimaltenanago to join forces as a weaving group to help each other cope. They are currently a group of 20 women only some of whom are shown here and are all back strap weavers.

We are the second Fair Trade group actively working with them and hope to help them expand their products and market.