Posted by Maya Traditions on November 22, 2016
This month we received really exciting news from one of our students from the Youth Education Program, Junior Johany Cúmes Martin, who is in his sixth semester studying Graphic Design and Advertising. Hi Junior. Tell us about your positive experience this month, November 2016. This month we´ve hosted the event “2016 Arcadia,” which is organized by students studying Graphic Design in their sixth semester at the Mesoamerican University. It is an event that brings together internationally renowned speakers in different areas of Graphic Design. It culminates in the Award Gala, which recognizes and rewards the talent and ingenuity of outstanding
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Posted by Maya Traditions on November 10, 2016
This year three of our artisan partners, Cecilia from San Juan, Elena from Chichicastenango and Matea from Chuacruz, had the opporunity to be part of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian’s 2016 Hispanic Heritage Month. The specific program, “Maya Creativity and Cultural Milieu,” took place September 10th and 11th in New York City and September 16th through the 18th in Washington, DC. We talked with these women about their journey, their impressions and their experiences: How did you like your journey to the United States? Elena: I liked it a lot, especially the flying. It was my
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Posted by Maya Traditions on November 01, 2016
Here at Maya Traditions we work with design clients who submit their designs to us to be produced by our artisan partners around the Lake Atitlan. Sometimes the designs they submit are inspired by traditional Guatemalan textiles and sometimes they are very contemporary designs. The communities we partner with specialize in different types of backstrap weaving techniques such as brocade and ikat. Today, we want to take a moment to look at some of the symbols found in traditional maya textiles like huipiles and cortes. Symbols found in Maya textiles depict the environment and elements, agriculture and animals among religious
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At Maya Traditions, we strongly believe that an alternative sustainable and culturally-rich tourism industry is possible. As a nonprofit social enterprise, we continually seek to support our indigenous artisan partners, their families, and their communities through social programs that work to build capacity, preserve local cultures and environment, and motivate women to strengthen their entrepreneurial ecosystems. Maya Traditions’ goals are reflected into the Ethical Tourism Program achievements through: Poverty alleviation Social welfare Education Women’s empowerment Biodiversity conservation Our longstanding relationships with indigenous partner communities and continuing commitment to the production of Fair Trade backstrap-woven textiles have uniquely positioned us
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How does Tourism affects the live of our partner cooperatives in Guatemala? We have asked our sponsored students. Student: Rosa Tambriz from the Community of Chirijox, Guatemala. Do you think that Tourism could be an opportunity for community growth? Yes, they provide great support to my community. Also, they support the women by helping them improve their work and pushing them to become stronger while allowing their economic conditions to improve. My community does not have sufficient resources to better family conditions, which is why Tourism is a great opportunity for growth. How does Tourism benefit your family? What benefits
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Cuban Oregano – Plectranthus amboinicus In the Western world we love oregano to flavor our pizza and pasta, but here in Guatemala, Mayans use oregano medicinally. In tea, it is used to treat respiratory ailments like a cough, or sore throat. It´s also used for more chronic issues like bronchitis and asthma. The oregano highlighted here from our medicinal garden in Panajachel is Cuban Oregano. It´s a little fuzzy and thick-leafed. The leaves grow almost to the size of your palm, and has a taste very similar to the more common Origanum vulgare. So next time you feel a tickle in
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This year WFTO observes Global Anti-Poverty Week (16-22 October 2016) by promoting the 10 Principles of Fair Trade as means to eradicate poverty as desired by the first goal of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals – NO POVERTY. WFTO believes that the principles of Fair Trade are effective overarching tools to fight poverty. Using the concept of ‘Agent for Change’ (Fair Trade as an agent for change), WFTO’s formula to eradicate poverty: Fair Trade + Economic Opportunities = No Poverty We would like you to join the awareness raising campaign. For the campaign, just use the icons of Fair Trade
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Blogpost 4/6 Have you ever thought about a trip to Guatemala? Maya Traditions is working with eight communities in the area of Lago Atitlán. We wanted to know how Tourism affects the people there? We interviewed five of our sponsored students. Read more about the point of view of Herlinda. Student: Herlinda Barreno from the Community of Patanatic, Guatemala. Do you think that Tourism could be an opportunity for community growth? Yes. How does Tourism benefit your family? What benefits has your family received from this activity? What experiences have you had? The families will see benefits because they will
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Posted by Maya Traditions on September 30, 2016
Blogpost 3/6 Have you ever thought about a trip to Guatemala? Maya Traditions is working with eight communities in the area of Lago Atitlán. We wanted to know how Tourism affects the people there? We interviewed five of our sponsored students. Experience more about their point of view in the upcoming Blogposts. Student: Norma Faustina García de León from the Community in Patanatic, Guatemala. Do you think that Tourism could be an opportunity for community growth? Yes, and even more when visitors contribute by purchasing products directly from our artisans. How does Tourism benefit your family? What benefits has your
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Posted by Maya Traditions on September 26, 2016
Blogpost 2/6 During the next weeks we will inform you more about the Tourism Program of Maya Traditions. How does Tourism affects the lives of our partner cooperatives in Guatemala? We interviewed five of our sponsored students. Experience more about their point of view in the upcoming Blogposts. Student: Rubén Ambrosio Tzoc from the Community Qato Q’ib of Chirijox, Nahuala, Guatemala Do you think that Tourism could be an opportunity for community growth? Of course, Tourism allows people from other countries to enjoy the riches that the nature in our communities has to offer. Also, it brings favorable income to
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