Mayaworks Artisan Story-Guatemala

 Maya Works is a non-profit organization that works with many Mayan artisan communities in Guatemala. The organization works towards finding the right marketing platform for the artisans and their products. Maya Works believes in community development through economic development, and the organization’s ultimate goal is to overcome poverty and illiteracy and to create a fair marketplace where artisans may benefit directly from their work.

Maya Works is associated with over 125 artisans in 6 communities around the central highlands of Guatemala. Apart from market support, Maya Works provides its artisan communities with literacy, skill training, scholarships and micro loans. Maya Works also provides opportunities such as meetings, workshops and international exposure for these artisans, which helps them build their business expertise. The various crafts produced by the artisan partners of Maya Works include, hand woven fabrics, home accents, napkins, aprons, crocheted bags, pouches and corn husk angels and dolls.

Currently, Maya Works provides educational scholarships to 120 young girls from the artisan communities in Guatemala. Similarly, micro loans facilitated by the organization, help these artisans to improve their standards of living and expanding their business.