We recently took a trip to visit the Sanik Women's Group in el Triunfo, Solola, Guatemala. Juana, the group leader has been working with Hiptipico for a few years and you can read more about her amazing story in the previous Artisan Spotlight Blogpost. Her son, Jonathan is the Hiptipico scholarship recipient, receiving funds for his international education from YOUR backpack purchases. Through our program "Backpacks that Give Back" Jonathan is able to study at an international private school, receiving a high quality education that will no doubt change his future. He is a future leader of Guatemala.
We partner with Community Enterprise Solutions (CES) to keep the women's group and their handmade products "market ready". Business students from the USA visit regularly to work with the women on fair pricing, budgeting and sustainable practices in order for them to expand their capabilities. We do the rest, assist with design, make buyer connections and share their story!
Take a look through some of the photos of our journey from Panajachel to the village of el Triunfo [45+ minute ride through the highlands of Guatemala]. Remember to stay connected in the moment! We post "real-time" on Snapchat and save exclusive photos for Instagram.
When we got to the village of El Triunfo the views were simply breath-taking
Right away Jonathan (recipient of scholarship in Panajachel, Guatemala) wanted to bring us right up to the house to get started.
Such an amazing experience to be in the presence of these beautiful women all dressed in there traditional "tipico".
Most of the women do not even speak Spanish, just Kaqchikel, and yet still show whoever comes through to visit how to weave mostly through signing and demonstration.
This adorable little girl was so skilled in using the back-strap loom, and showed much patience in teaching people from the tour group how to use it. Also so photogenic!
One of the Maya artisans showing us how it's done.
Group photo with the women that weren't too shy and members of Community Enterprise Solutions team.
We never wanted to leave such an inspiring place, but we thought, why not. We'll just take some pictures.
Every Hiptipico purchase empowers female Guatemalan artisans--support Juana and the women's cooperative by shopping their products in our online store--
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