Mayan Hands works with 17 cooperatives and over 200 women in the Guatemalan highlands. For a long time, Mayan girls faced extreme discrimination, did were unable to attend school. This left them without an education and unable to read or write in Spanish, the native language of Guatemala. Because of this, women often experience lower earning power than men, but they are also often more likely to use their wages to directly support their families.

While every artisan story is different, many of the Mayan Hands artisans live in rural areas or small villages. Their homes are adobe huts with some access to running water and electricity. They may be single, married, or widowed. Their ages range from 20-60. The artisans are able to fit their Mayan Hands work into their daily routines of caring for their families, children, small farms, and animals.

These artisans use traditional techniques to craft scarves, bags, and jewelry either by hand or on the back-strap loom.Their workplaces are safe from occupational hazards like outdated machinery or toxic chemicals. They are paid above the poverty threshhold and can send their children to school, assume leadership positions in the community, and even go on to form their own independent businesses.

Photos courtesy of Mayan Hands.