Maya Traditions Journal

USH: MTF Leaders Begin Work with New Communities

Posted by on May 05, 2015

Maya Traditions Foundation began partnering with Unlocking Silent Histories ‘USH’ in 2012 offering young people involved in our Youth Education Program the opportunity to develop and share their voices through creating their own short documentaries. Here, the USH Guatemala Field Director Jenn Miller shares the latest developments within the program: A heavy rain begins to fall on Saturday afternoon as we wrap up our first Unlocking Silent Histories meeting with two new groups of program participants in Santiago Atitlan. The indigenous youth gathered around the table where we sit in a second floor office don’t seem to mind, using the rain as a welcome

Read More

Meet Our New Partners–The Thread Caravan!

Posted by on April 30, 2015

We are excited to announce a new partnership with The Thread Caravan, a business that will offer art workshops around the world. By participating, individuals learn about traditional craft production, while also experiencing scenery and adventures unique to each destination. The first destination is Guatemala, where participants will learn the art of backstrap weaving with our artisans at Maya Traditions Foundation. Here, founder Caitlin Ahern shares a bit about The Thread Caravan:   Hi, I’m Caitlin, an artist with a passion for travel and helping others. I’m merging these interests by creating The Thread Caravan. Our comprehensive travel packages take participants to different communities around the

Read More

Youth Education Program Update: Miguel David

Posted by on April 27, 2015

Maya Traditions Foundation partners with individual donors to support students–the children of our artisans–to 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 Miguel David Vasquez Asjoc, son of artisan Lucia, shares with us a bit on his life and studies.  Dear friends, I hope everyone had an amazing Semana Santa, or holy week. I would like to tell you that this month I had a wonderful time

Read More

Celebrating Fashion Revolution Day

Posted by on April 24, 2015

Two years ago today, the Rana Plaza collapsed, leading to the worst industrial disaster in Bangladesh’s history.  1,133 workers lost their lives and over 2,500 others were wounded. This event exposed the harsh realities of the garment industry that many of us have heard about, but chose to ignore. It also spurred an international movement and conversation about who is making our clothes and the conditions they face at work every day. We at Maya Traditions are excited to be a part of this movement by celebrating and preserving the art of backstrap weaving and by providing an alternative, ethical

Read More

Meet Laura, Our New Community Tourism Coordinator!

Posted by on April 21, 2015

Hello!  My name is Laura Gehring, and I am proud to be the newest addition to the Maya Traditions’ team.  I will be working as the Coordinator of Community Tourism, which means I will have the huge honor of bringing visitors out into the field to see our programs and artisans in action.  Visitors have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture of the region through visiting Maya Traditions’ Organic Medicinal Herb Garden in Panajachel and the surrounding communities where our collaborating cooperatives are located. At the Garden, visitors are free to look, touch, and taste the plants as

Read More

A Letter from Our Director

Posted by on April 13, 2015

Time flies, yet I feel like time flies even faster in Guatemala. This March marked my second year working with Maya Traditions Foundation. It has been a long, often arduous journey, but one that has lifted my spirits and filled me with indescribable happiness. When I first began with Maya Traditions in March of 2013, I knew I had become part of a very special organization, one that is dedicated to fulfilling its mission through highlighting the gift & skill of others. This became clear early on, during a site visit to the rural community of Quiejel. We traveled two hours

Read More

Youth Education Program Update: Carmen

Posted by on April 08, 2015

Maya Traditions Foundation partners with individual donors to support students–the children of our artisans–to 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 Carmen Tzoc Portillo, daughter of artisan Magdalena, shares with us a bit on her life and her studies.  Hello! It is a pleasure for me to share with you the progress in my studies. This year I am very pleased to

Read More

Celebrating Semana Santa in Guatemala

Posted by on March 31, 2015

Semana Santa, also known as the Holy Week leading up to Easter, is celebrated each year in Guatemala with processions, parades, and alfombras—traditional ‘carpets’ made out of sawdust, fruits, flowers, and vegetables in the streets where processions will soon pass. In Guatemala, Semana Santa exists as a fusion between Catholicism and Maya culture–a truly rich and unique experience for those able to visit this beautiful country we call home during this time. We’ve asked our artisan partners, their children, and the Maya Traditions’ team how they’re celebrating Semana Santa. ‘For Semana Santa, I make bread to share with our family.

Read More

9 Things You Didn’t Know About Our Weekender

Posted by on March 31, 2015

The Weekender. It’s been one of your favorites for the past couple of years, and is considered a must-have product carried by and adapted for partners such as The Little Market, Global Goods Partners, Malena, Ara Collective and Tribe Alive. Here are 9 things you didn’t know about this fashion-must have and its impact. 1. The textile used in our Weekender is backstrap woven by indigenous female artisans in the highlands of Guatemala. Backstrap weaving is a traditional Maya art form that has been practiced for over 2,000 years. By purchasing a Weekender, you are directly supporting these artisans’ work to preserve this

Read More

Working Towards Fair Trade Principle #3

Posted by on March 23, 2015

As members of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), we at Maya Traditions are working to guarantee that our practices follow the 10 Principles of Fair Trade outlined by the WFTO. In addition to working towards these goals, we love sharing with you—our international family, the hard work we are doing.Principle #3 of the WFTO states that organizations trade with concern for the social, economic and environmental well-being of marginalized small producers and does not maximize profit at their expense. As we grow Maya Traditions with support from our community, we are working towards this principle in three ways: Strong relationships

Read More

Member of the
World Fair Trade Organization