Maya Traditions

Foundation

ANNUAL
REPORT

2015

LET TER

FROM OUR DIRECTOR

Maya Traditions was founded in 1996 with the
mission to support indigenous female artisans
lift themselves and their families out of poverty
through economic opportunity and education.
Twenty years later, we are happy to share that the
organization continues to be rooted in the skills
and expertise of our artisan partners. Over the
years, our work has proven to have a profound
impact on these women and their communities.
As of 2015, 98% of our artisan partners are
contributing to their overall household income.

Women who were unable to bring in an income

are now able to cover family expenses. On average,
our artisan partner participates in 5 personal and
professional growth workshops per year. What she
learns in these trainings she is able to implement in
her household and in her community.
As we begin to grow and scale, it is important to
ensure that our model is sustainable. In 2015, we
continued to strengthen our brand and in doing
so, witnessed increased demand, larger than ever
before, for our Fair Trade hand-crafted products.
In working to meet this demand and further our
impact, we have begun partnering with new cooperatives of indigenous female artisans. Through
these partnerships, we are reaching even more
women in rural communities in Guatemala.

All of our achievements and progress have been

possible with your support. Together, we have
offered female artisans professional development
opportunities, directly improving the quality of
their craft and sharing it with the world. Together,
we have invested in the artisans, their families,
and their communities through tools and trainings that work to increase local capacity. Together,
with your commitment and compassion, we have
proved that traditional knowledge and art can
support economic stability and gender equality. At
a time where individuals are migrating from Central America to the United States at unprecedent-

ed amounts, our work, creating just opportunities

for economic stability, is even more important.
While we have made significant advances in
achieving our mission, there is still much to do.
We hope that our 2015 Annual Report motivates
you to continue your support in 2016.
With gratitude,

MISSION
Maya Traditions Foundation works to empower
and improve the quality of life for Maya women
artisans and their families and to contribute to
the preservation and promotion of traditional
knowledge, art, and culture in Guatemala.
To do so, we offer women artisans and their
families education-driven social programs and
market access to international Fair Trade and
artisanal networks with a focus on traditional
Maya culture and traditions.

VISION
We aspire to be a leading Fair
Trade social enterprise that
enriches community culture,
nurtures creative growth,
and creates opportunities for
economic sustainability.

OUR APPROACH
Maya Traditions works to support artisan
cooperatives, strengthening their entrepreneurial
ecosystems and building strong communities that
are successful and sustainable. We achieve this
through uniting international market access with
social justice programs that increase local capacity
and preserve traditional cultures.
As many of our artisan partners did not have
the opportunity to receive formal education,
our social programs are an essential part of
our work, promoting both the personal and
professional development and the growth of our
artisan partner and her family. Maya Traditions
maximizes our impact through partnering with
women. When we invest in one woman, we
invest in a generation.

Many of the artisans we partner with are mothers

and wives, and they manage their households as well as backstrap weave. Through our multi-faceted
approach, we have seen our artisan partners develop into pro-active, self-sufficient artisans who are
able to conduct business in a larger marketplace.
As a part of our work, their families and communities directly benefit from our social programs,
including our Artisan Development Program, Community Health Program, and Youth Education
Program. It is estimated that Maya Traditions directly and indirectly impacts more than 1,000 people
from eight indigenous communities in the western highlands of Guatemala.

Leveraging

TRADITIONAL MAYA HERITAGE,
CULTURES, AND ART TO BRING ABOUT CHANGE

In Guatemala, many indigenous women

and men leave their communities in
search of economic opportunity. Weve
seen this increasingly common migration
occur year after year, changing family and
community dynamics. Maya Traditions
partners with indigenous female artisans to

IN

2015,
WE:

create opportunities based on their traditional

skill in their communitiesdirectly supporting
and empowering the indigenous woman. Our
artisan partners work from their home, creating
textiles rooted in their cultures. They are able
to actively preserve and promote their heritage
and identity as an indigenous woman.

To me weaving means opportunity. Sharing my art

has helped me and my community move forward.
-Pascuala, Artesana Nawal Ja Cooperative

Educated 347 visitors

on the importance of
backstrap weaving and
Maya cultures through
our Community
Tourism Program

Sustained partnering relationships

with eight cooperatives of
indigenous female artisans, providing
a fair payment for their work

Formed a new partnership with the

cooperative Utz Batz
from Chichicastenango

For me, what makes Maya Traditions special is its

respect and reverence for the traditional Maya culture.
This organization wasnt founded to fix problems
within the community, rather we seek to advance and
support the most positive aspects of the culture while
focusing on helping women, mostly mothers, to earn
a fair wage and support their families. The women
and children we serve also serve us, and the mutual
respect that is created is something that I have not
seen in other organizations.
-Laura, Community Tourism Coordinator

meet

CECILIA
Cecilia, a weaver living in San Juan la
Laguna, single mother of three, exudes
passion and enthusiasm for her craft.

Maria Cecilia Mendoza is an expert weaver who

forms part of the Flor Juanera cooperative from
San Juan la Laguna. First introduced to the
group by her mother-in-law, Cecilia has been a
member of the cooperative for the past 7 years.
Weaving is deeply ingrained into Cecilia and
the money she generates through her weavings
has become the main source of income for her
household. Cecilia recounts that she first began
backstrap weaving when she was 10 years old.
She was taught by her mother as a way to earn
an income and help with household expenses.
As a testament to her culture, Cecilia has
passed along the ancient tradition of backstrap
weaving to her 14 year old daughter. Through
a recent difficult divorce, Cecilia is the epitome

of strength for her 3 children and shares how

the income she has earned through this work
has supported her build her own home.

charisma, presence, or warmth... I marveled

as she shared the work that goes into each
garment they make.

Apart from creating beautiful textiles through

our Fair Trade Market Access Program, Cecilia
is an integral part of our Community Tourism
Program.The Flor Juanera cooperative offers
many different tours varying from tamale
making classes, natural dye demonstrations, to
weaving classes. Cecilias charisma and passion
for sharing her daily life and incredible skills
with visitors is tangible. David Dye, a visitor of
the cooperative who participated in a day tour
to San Juan put it perfectly, Im a professional
speaker and work on stages big and small, but
Ive rarely encountered anyone with Cecilias

It is women like Cecilia that exemplify the

mission and passion of Maya Traditions.
Through the support of Maya Traditions,
her two daughters have educational
scholarships and through weaving and tourism
opportunities, Cecilia is able to support her
family. Cecilia is also one of the artisans who
will be traveling to the Smithsonian Museum
in the United States in September through our
partnership with Unlocking Silent Histories.
When asked if she had any comments or
thoughts for the organization, she simply
concluded with, Gracias a todos.

Community Health Program

Promoting and Preserving Traditional
Maya Medicine, Knowledge, and the
Use of Medicinal Plants

Weaving in tools, trainings, and grassroots social programs to support our

artisan partners, their families, and their communities
Our community programs are aimed at increasing formal and informal educational opportunities
promoting self-sufficiency, economic stability, and self-empowerment, and preserving local cultures
and traditional knowledge.

Artisan Development Program

Providing Artisans Partners with Opportunities for Personal and Professional Growth
Offered 32 trainings and workshops to our
artisan partners. Themes included: improving
demonstrations, paying taxes, communication,
time-management, among others.
Partnered with Ecofiltro and individual donors
to provide water filters to 23 families.
The third year of partnership with A Heart for

Guatemala of hosting literacy workshops with

our artisan partners. This year, 31 artisan
partners participated in the classes which lasted
over nine weeks. Artisans traveled to Panajachel
weekly to participate in the trainingoften
leaving behind work, family, and responsibilities to
dedicate this time to learning how to read and write.

Implementation of 5 medical clinics in

partnership with local healers in the
communities of San Juan la Laguna, Chuacruz,
Chirijox, Quiejel, and San Lucas Tolimn.
A partnership with WINGS, an organization based
in Antigua working towards reproductive rights. In
collaboration with WINGS, we offered 14
indigenous midwives a two-day intensive training
on sexual health and family planning. Following this
workshop series, we implemented a family planning
& cancer screening clinic in Panajachel with WINGS
where we attended to 50 patients.
Implementation of 5 workshops in rural
communities on the properties of medicinal plants
and an introduction to Maya medicinal practices.
Participation in Entremundos Workshop on
Cultural Identity and Maya Cosmovision.

We convert the needs of

our artisan partners into
opportunities, offering
them the training and tools
necessary so that they
themselves can change
their own situations.
For me, thats true
empowerment.
Isabel, Artisan
Development Coordinator

Youth Education Program

Investing in the Children of our Artisan Partners through
Educational Scholarship and Trainings
In 2015, Maya Traditions supported a total of 109 students with
educational scholarships and personal and professional
development trainings.
We partnered with the Office of Municipal Development of Panajachel,
AMSCLAE, Vivamos Mejor, and COINDI to offer workshops in
vocational guidance, environmental education, nutrition, community
development, and self-esteem.
Students from six communities implemented 180 hours of
community service.

We help children and youth build a brighter future for themselves and their families.

Unlocking Silent Histories:

Maya Traditions Chapter

98%

Portillo, all children of Maya Traditions artisans

who graduated from our program in 2012 and
began sharing their expertise with new groups of
students from there forward.

Partnering with Unlocking Silent Histories

In addition to these great accomplishments, we
to Develop and Amplify Indigenous
strengthened our programs monitoring and evalYouth Voices
uation process through the implementation of
By: Jenn Miller, Guatemala Field Director

2015 was a year of great accomplishment for

the Unlocking Silent Histories: Maya Traditions
Foundation Chapter. With student groups in four
Maya Traditions communities, we celebrated the
completion of seven new youth films, produced by
8 first year students. Our student groups were led
by our dynamic and engaging Program Leaders,
Carlos Vasquez, Chema Vasquez, and Carmen Tzoc

new metrics, held numerous screenings with local

organizations in Guatemala to share our work,
and participated in the Adobe Youth Voices global
program with local filmmaker Javier Borrayo and
local organization SERES. As a part of Adobe Youth
Voices, Level 1 and 2 graduates worked together to
create two new films as production teams. The films,
Beautiful Woman and Manuel Yojcom Mendoza:
Life Without Limits demonstrate the progression in

of our artisan partners high schoolaged children are enrolled in school.

skills our advanced students have attained, and were
screened to an international audience in Antigua,
Guatemala as well as accepted into Guatemalas
International caro Film Festival.

IN

2015,
WE:

Partnered with 19 retail and design partners around the world

Traveled to the US in February to participate in NY Now and showcase our new Corte Bag Line
Launched a new Etsy shop to sell samples and one-of-a-kind products, generating
additional income for our artisan partners
Featured in MarketplaceAs consumer demand for Fair Trade and ethical products
increase, we are seeing an increase in inquiry from businesses and designers from around
the world.

Creating Fair Trade

products that strengthen
local communities
Maya Traditions works to embody our values of
social justice and the economic and environmental
well-being of our artisan partners and their families
through all of our trading partnerships. We partner
with socially conscious businesses and designers
who respect the constraints that come with working with small-scale production and whose mission
is to create quality products that serve as a platform
to overcome the financial disadvantages artisans
face in Guatemala. These deep-rooted relationships
support generations of women refine their art,
ensure payment of a fair price for their work, and
foster the growth of strong communities.

Were providing a product that people want to buy with a story they support.

Maya Traditions is a true social enterprise in

that we are building a business that through its
growth, will help us to better reach our mission
of providing fair wages to skilled artisans and
celebrating the art of backstrap weaving.
Averie, Product Design and Sales Manager

I am glad that I found Maya Traditions through the World

Fair Trade Organization (WFTO). This partnership will be an
important contribution to our portfolio in Korea. The designs
the different communities provide are very unique. My clients
will appreciate their ability to contribute and preserve these
techniques while supporting the Maya communities with the
different initiatives Maya Traditions realizes.
-Hana, GONG-GI, Design Partner, Maya Traditions first
partners in Asia

The Power of Collective Action

Our work is only possible because of our strong international community committed to change.

T O GET H E R

IN 2015,
WE :

Became a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in the United States

Collaborated with volunteers to rebrand our organization and build a
new website
Successfully raised over $10,000 through indiegogo to #growMayaTraditions

Maya Traditions

GOT SOCIAL
Facebook

1,447
LIKES

Instagram

3,153
FOLLOWERS

We tend to believe that quality and talent

come out of places with perfect facilities,
documented processes, and machines, but I
think its quite the opposite. Quality and talent
come out of places that designs and techniques
are time-tested, are crafted by a real person,
and tell the stories of the people and land
which they come from.
Sarah, Ara Collective, Design Partner

We are gratified to be part of Maya Traditions

Foundations steady and careful growth and
applauded their obtaining non-profit status in the
United States. We have been very impressed with
the strides MT has madeand grateful to them for
taking on the supervision of a small MEF scholarship
program for Tzutujil students. Its a partnership we
value highly.
Elisabeth, Maya Educational Foundation,
Executive Director

Twitter

1,282
FOLLOWERS

FINANCIALS
Revenue

Sales $104,524
Donations $122,190
Community Tours $13,957

Total Revenue $240,671

Expenses
COGS $83,117
Artisan Education Program
$7,261
Community Health Program
$16,361
Community Tourism Program
$10,576
Fair Trade Market Access
$26,362
General Administration $39,207
Youth Education Program
$47,934

Total Expenses $230,818
Surplus/Deficit $9,853

SUPPORTERS AND VOLUNTEERS

Thank You, Gracias, Matiox

$25,000+

Jane Mintz Trust

$10,000-$24,999

Maya Educational Foundation

Onaway Trust
$2,500-$9,999

New England Biolabs Foundation

John Hurd
Michael Sotomayor
Susan Stiller
Nourish International: University of Pittsburgh
$1,000-$2,499

Colleen Oaksmith
Richard Bongionvanni
Marlene Walter
$500-$999

Paula Milano
Philip Hazelton
Marcelle Renkin
Jody Durica
SK&I Architectural Firm
Laurie Mintz
Holly Leonard
Lynn Persson
Curt Brown
Katharine Hawley
Mitchell Brown
Carly Burson

$200-$499

Ara Collective
Anne Knott
Lief Haniford
Priscilla Kuhn
Lee Torrence
Mary Wandschneider
Carol Bradford
Catherine Reidy
Michelle Hament
Stacy Drost
Brenda Rosenbaum
And all of our friends and family who donated
to our 2015 April Indiegogo Campaign

A Special Thank You to

Our Board of Directors
Paula Milano, President
Alison Wandschneider, Vice President
Dana Geffner, Treasurer
Armando Alfonzo
Murray Mintz
Martha Lynd
Carol Engel-Enright
Jennifer Good
Carly Burson

And Volunteers Who Made Our Work

Possible in 2015
Sarah Cullihall
Kelly Giarrocco
Katelyn Victor
Monika Holc
Jessica Malcom-McKay
Carlos Maeda
Lindsey Blake
Brianna Wilkins
Emily Hwayng
Maris Altieri
Christina Cerio
Juliana Goldring
Anja Pfaus
Rachel Ross
Sonovia Wint
Marlene Walter
Alix Bakke
Sarah Bogdanovitch
Eli Calhoun
Matea Martic
Bethany Miller
Robyne Hayes
Grace MacNeil
Taylar Miller
Dani Martire
Nancy Scott