Fundacion Tradiciones Mayas (Maya Traditions)

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Charitable Organization
Panajachel
, Solola
May 2, 2012 - 6:24pm
Guatemala
Lake Atitlan + Chimaltenango, Quiche + Verapazes
Marcelle Renkin
502 7762 2829
5 - 10
Business / Fair Trade, Education / Schools, Health / Medical
Description:

In 1988, Maya Traditions founder Jane Mintz, an experienced social worker (MSW Columbia University) and weaver herself, began working with indigenous women artisans living in poverty after surviving decades of armed conflict in Guatemala. Jane observed that their skill of backstrap weaving was a chance for them to earn a stable income for their families while working from home doing what they were already good at. Maya Traditions was founded to help these skilled artisans succeed and preserve their cultures through access to a Fair Trade global marketplace.

Today Maya Traditions is Guatemala Foundation which provides social service and scholarships supported by the production of Fair Trade products and grants from several foundations.

We provide consistent work for 85 Mayan backstrap weavers and their families. In addition, we strive to improve their quality of life by offering assistance in the areas deemed most valuable by the weaving groups.

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The Blog: Updates from Fundacion Tradiciones Mayas (Maya Traditions)
5/2/12

Our Technology Wish List

Last month when Linda volunteered and consulted with us on our marketing and strategic planning, we witnessed the impact of technology. Check out this video of our artisan weaving group in Chuacruz as they watch themselves on an iPad!

On our eNews announcement sent out in April, we mentioned a "Wish List".  If you are interested or able in passing along any of the following items, please contact marcelle@mayatraditions.org.
-iPad
-Digital Cameras
-iPhone (so we can process credit card payments)
-Sewing Machines
-New or used laptops
-Laserjet Printers

Possessing these items will help us better serve our communities.  We hope to venture into instructing our artisan groups in computer skills, set up email accounts for them, and further their ability to be self sustainable.

Sign up for our eNews here!

4/11/12

Funding Updates

We have gotten off to a fast start in 2012!  But it wouldn't have been possible without your support!

FTM wishes to recognize the generosity and continued support of the following organizations:

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4/3/12

Volunteer Consultant

From the 26th to the 30th of April, we were excited to have an opportunity to once again work with volunteer consultants that are members of Leading Women.

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3/27/12

Natural Dye demonstration

Last week, Marcelle Renkin (Director) and Leena Saarinen (volunteer) visited the women of the artisan group, Flor Juanera, in San Juan La Laguna with a group of friends of designer and weaver Hetty Friedman.

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3/21/12

Online Product Catalog

We are excited to announce the release of our online catalog!  Our products available for Wholesale Purchase are now listed and visible on our website, along with a downloadable Initial Order Form, excel sheet.

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3/9/12

Commentary from Roberto

My name is Robert and I live in Panajachel.  I am working in the garden with Maya Traditions and am learning many things about the culture within the community and about the empowerment of medicinal plants.  Last year I had an experience with plants, because I was sick and had stomach pains in the morning after I ate a lot the night before.  I learned to prepare an infusion of Wormw

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2/29/12

Thank you Salesforce!

We are very excited to say that this week Maya Traditions received a grant at a value of $15,000 from Salesforce.com; a fortune 500 company that originated as an online database for “customer research management,” or “CRM” (in the sales world “CRM” is essentially a blanket term for customer service, sales and lead tracking).  However, over the past five years Salesforce

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2/24/12

Responsible Consumption

On 22 February we had a visit from Emaus Spain

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2/15/12

Deliver of School Supplies to Chuacruz

On February 2nd, the FTM Education Program visited the children of primary school in the Chuacruz community to deliver them their backpacks and notebooks.  All the students and their mothers were present during the event and we very satisfied and grateful!

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2/9/12

Comentario y Breve Historia de Nicolasa Vásquez, Coordinadora de educación FTM.

Este programa que tiene FTM, ha cambiado mi vida y mi forma de pensar aquí he logrado muchas cosas porque en él aprendí cosas buena para mi vida personal, fui becada en la Fundación durante los años 200

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Have you worked with or volunteered for Fundacion Tradiciones Mayas (Maya Traditions)? Share your experience or story: Write a Commentary
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