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Women's Craft Co-op


The summary below was provided by the Peace Corps Volunteer and the community administering this project..... ME!
In Belize many Mayan women sell crafts. However, the women’s group of this village wants more education and training so they can be successful at selling their crafts. Selling more crafts and generating an income will significantly improve the health and well being of the women and children of the community. In Belize the Mayan Kekchi speaking women are known for their beautiful crafts, especially the women of this town. Even though they have this talent there is a huge deficiency in their health and the infant mortality rate of their children. The women make purses and handbags that are called cuxtals. Cuxtals were originally used for the Maya men to carry corn home from the farm. The women also want to sell the gorgeous jewelry and baskets they make from local natural resources of Belize and the Maya culture. However, now the women’s goal is to be able to market their bags and crafts in order to help their health and well-being. The women are proposing a project in which they will have training in marketing skills and training in a new variety of products and designs. When they receive this training they will be able to increase their income which will lower the mortality rate in the village. From the money they earn the women can begin to go to the doctor since as of now they cannot afford it. They will also be able to prepare more nutritious meals for their family. The village will begin to have a new respect for women. At this time the women are not respected by the men because the men do all the income earning. Through this project the women can make a huge contribution to their family. For example, the women can begin to provide their many children with the education they need to be active citizens, and with education they will begin to care more about their health and well-being.
https://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=donate.contribute.projDetail&projdesc=535-153



Disclaimer This website expresses the views of Grace Boswell, who is entirely responsible for its content. It does not express the views of the United States government, the Belize government, the Peace Corps or any other institutions named or linked to on these pages.