Maya Traditions Journal

Meet Volunteer Alix!

Posted by on July 16, 2015

The success of our work at Maya Traditions is made possible through the constant support of volunteers. Here, we introduce volunteer Alix who is currently supporting our work in Guatemala:  Hi! My name is Alix and I’m currently volunteering in the Organic Medicinal Herb Garden for Maya Traditions Foundation. I’ve been here for two weeks and am looking forward to my last three. I’ve been enjoying every minute of this opportunity to work alongside very knowledgeable people.  My main focus is to learn more about medicinal plants and sustainable practices, and I believe I’m in the right place for it!! I’m

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Maya Traditions’ Staff Highlight: Edgar

Posted by on July 02, 2015

Edgar is one of our wonderful staff at Maya Traditions. In charge of the Organic Medicinal Plant Garden, Edgar is also responsible for coordinating and supervising volunteers. Here, volunteer Eli shares a bit about Edgar, with whom she works with on a daily basis: Edgar Tuy is 20 years old and began working for Maya Traditions in an official capacity one year ago. Edgar learned about Maya Traditions Foundation from Oseas, a friend and the groundskeeper at Maya Traditions. He began assisting Oseas with work in the garden and learning about the plants before he got hired last year. Edgar

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Meet Volunteer Eli!

Posted by on July 02, 2015

The success of our work at Maya Traditions is made possible through the constant support of volunteers. Here, we introduce volunteer Eli who is currently supporting our work in Guatemala:  Hi Folks! My name is Eli and I am supporting Maya Traditions Foundation’s Community Health Program by volunteering in the Organic Medicinal Herb Garden for two months this summer. I started working on June 17th and am having a blast so far. I study Anthropology of Sustainable Food Systems at Bennington College and am interested in public health. This volunteer opportunity compliments my academic studies by providing me with opportunity to

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Youth Education Update: Sucely Works Towards Her Goals

Posted by on June 26, 2015

Maya Traditions Foundation partners with individual donors to support students–the children of our artisans–attend university. Due to the high cost of inscription and monthly fees of university, many indigenous families are unable to send their children on to university. We are working to increase our impact and the amount of university scholarships we are able to offer. Here, student Sucely Ermelinda Vásquez Perez, son of artisan Vicenta,  shares with us a bit on his life and studies Dear friends, I send you my deepest appreciation for the willingness to support me in my studies. Education is a fundamental right for everyone, and I

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Local Intern Ana Supports Our Community Health Program

Posted by on June 26, 2015

Maya Traditions partners with local university student to realize  professional internships in their area of study. Here, one of our recent interns, Ana Buch Chavez, shares her experience woking with Maya Traditions, in the area of Community Health:     Programs Coordinator Marisol with artisan Vicenta and her grandfather, and local intern Ana on the right My name is Ana Buch Chavez, and I am a student of Social Work. I thank Maya Traditions Foundation for giving me the space to realize my professional internship. As a student of Social Work, one of my responsibilities was the preparation of community

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Meet Volunteer Dani!

Posted by on June 16, 2015

The success of our work at Maya Traditions is made possible through the constant support of volunteers. Here, volunteer Dani shares a bit about herself: Greetings! My name is Dani and I am the newest volunteer at Maya Traditions! I will be volunteering for one month this summer working in the Organic Medicinal Garden along with photo documenting different elements of Maya Traditions. I have a personal knowledge of gardening and earned my degree in Photographic Technology from Pensacola State College, in Florida. I decided to travel to Central America about a year ago and knew I wanted to spend

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Stories That Inspire Us

Posted by on June 15, 2015

Maya Traditions was born from strong partnerships with cooperatives of indigenous female artisans. Today, these relationships remain central to our work and mission. This month, we asked our staff to share stories that have impacted them personally and inspire them on a daily basis. Here, we share a few of their responses: Spotlight: Marta  I have been working with Maya Traditions only since March of this year, but when we were asked to write about an experience with an artisan that inspired us, I knew I already had many stories to choose from. I have had the priviledge of interacting and

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Meet Averie, Our New Product Development and Sales Manager!

Posted by on June 12, 2015

Hola! My name is Averie, and I’m proud to announce that I am the newest addition to the Maya Traditions team. As the Product Development and Sales Manager I will be collaborating with our design and retail partners to develop products that celebrate the beautiful craft of backstrap weaving. I interned for Maya Traditions in the fall of 2014 to develop our new Corte Bag Line and it feels so good to be back in Panajachel! As a recent graduate of the Apparel Design and Production program at Colorado State University, I am thrilled to work for a foundation with

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Youth Education Update: Ruben Shares His Growth

Posted by on June 10, 2015

Maya Traditions Foundation partners with individual donors to support students–the children of our artisans–attend university. Due to the high cost of inscription and monthly fees of university, many indigenous families are unable to send their children on to university. We are working to increase our impact and the amount of university scholarships we are able to offer. Here, student Ruben Andrés Ambrosio Tzoc, son of artisan Catarina,  shares with us a bit on his life and studies.  Hello! My name is Ruben Andrés Ambrosio Tzoc and I’m excited to share with you how my first year in university has been going. In the past

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Thanks From Alison!

Posted by on June 09, 2015

As I think about leaving beautiful Guatemala, I can’t help but get nostalgic for all of the wonderful people, the beautiful vistas, the vibrant textiles, and most importantly the lessons I have learned and the ways I have grown. Many of these memories are directly connected to my work at Maya Traditions Foundation. My work here over the last year and a half has been transformative for me, and for the foundation. I think that the best way to sum it up is to share a number of thank-yous. Thank you to our wonderful design and retail partners! Working with

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