Meet The Makers

My name is Elvia and I am from Palajunoj Valley, a village on the outskirts of Xela. My dream was to continue studying, but I wasn’t able to have this opportunity. When I was 12 years old I started working in the field and go with my mother to sell vegetables in Xela. After a couple years I decided to search for a second job in Xela, a shop hired me and I wasn't happy beacuse they were always judging me beacuse of my culture and the Mayan clothes I wear but I really needed the money so I stayed there...

My name is Catarina Guachiac from the community of Pacutamá. I speak K'iche. When I was a child, I helped my mother do the housework. I am currently a 25-year-old woman. I did not study because my father and my mother did not have the possibility of paying for my studies, but I thank them because they gave me life. Now I can only do things with the ability I have. While I did not study, I can speak a little in Spanish through the training I have been receiving at AMA and other organizations. My work is weaving in...

My name is Manuela Teresa Güachiac Guachiac and I am from Pacutamá I, Santa Catarina Ixtahuacan, Sololá. I studied primary school in my community, where we are K'iche speakers. I did not have the opportunity to study further because my father did not have the capacity to pay for my studies and I am very sad because I do not know how to speak Spanish. I am a fabric weaver in AMA Pixan and our textiles are exported to England and Denmark. I also make my own huipiles. I am very happy and proud that my fabrics are being exported....

  I am Pascuala Guachiac y Guachiac. I am 30 years old and I am from the community of Xeabaj II, Santa Catarina Ixtahuacán, Solóla. I am a mother of 2 children. I am currently a Pixan weaver, where I have been working for 8 years and with my income, I support my children’s education and help my husband cover the daily expenses. I was able to study and graduate from Primary School Teaching but I did not look for work because I got married. By being part of Pixan I have been able to develop my skills as a weaver,...

Maria Paola Tzep Aju, 24, currently weaving superviser for Pixan. She stared weaving when she was 7 years old, only plain fabrics with no design, her mother thaught her. She use to see her mother weaving without any instructions and she wanted to become like her, and Paola's mother told her, you have to practice to have everything in your mind, that how her passion on weaving started. When she was in elementary school she had to walk for 30 minutes every day to be able to have a better education. When she got graduated from Middle School and move...