In kaminaljuyu, spi is helping local women receive an income, REALIZE THEIR DREAMS and return a site to the heart of a community

The SiteThe famous Maya site of Kaminaljuyu has been occupied since 1000 BC. At its peak it was a large city of temples and clay platforms measuring up to 20m in height surrounded by a sophisticated hydraulic system for agriculture. Most of Kaminalj…

The Site

The famous Maya site of Kaminaljuyu has been occupied since 1000 BC. At its peak it was a large city of temples and clay platforms measuring up to 20m in height surrounded by a sophisticated hydraulic system for agriculture. Most of Kaminaljuyu is now buried under Guatemala City, and what remains is one of the city's few green spaces. The pressures of urban development have diminished the site from over 200 buildings visible just a century ago to only 32 today. Read a recent article about the archaeological work at the site here.

The CommunityToday Kaminaljuyu is surrounded by disadvantaged urban communities of Guatemala City. Most of the participants in the project live in the neighborhood around the site, while the remainder are young local women who have suffered domestic…

The Community

Today Kaminaljuyu is surrounded by disadvantaged urban communities of Guatemala City. Most of the participants in the project live in the neighborhood around the site, while the remainder are young local women who have suffered domestic violence and have joined the project through a local NGO. For many of these women, this is their first opportunity to enter into the workforce and realize long-held dreams, many of which involve educating and improving their health and that of their children.

The ProjectThe site provides no current economic benefit to its surrounding community. SPI is working with local NGO Comunidades de la Tierra (Communities of the Earth) to provide capacity training to 15 local women artisan-producers. The women are …

The Project

The site provides no current economic benefit to its surrounding community. SPI is working with local NGO Comunidades de la Tierra (Communities of the Earth) to provide capacity training to 15 local women artisan-producers. The women are learning business and production skills to make a variety of goods under the brand 'Rebirth Kaminaljuyu'. The products include artistic interpretations of ancient iconography and stories about the artisans themselves. Rebirth Kaminaljuyu products are being sold around the world through our partner Wakami.

Achievements

  • Within six months of the project starting the women earned their first income! They now regularly earn hundreds of dollars per month as a group and are growing every month. They are now a fully independent company!

  • The women, along with SPI and its partners, have developed an incredible new collection of jewelry and accessories under the brand 'Rebirth Kaminaljuyu'. The brand encapsulates the commitment to restoring the site to a place of relevance and aspiration among local residents. The collection is now being sold locally and around the world from Wakami Global.

  • Fifteen local women artisan-producers have received training in craft production, business skills and group organization. They are lead by a local woman, Marta, and are working hard to improve their skill level, efficiency and to attract new members.

  • The money the group has received are already helping them achieve their dreams - from owning a motorbike, getting English lessons for their children, to creating a better community for future generations.

The Big thing we have learned

  • We have fantastic, experienced local partners who are delivering great results and great value for money!

The Future

  • The business is growing and able to help more women! The more funds we have, the more local women we can add to the project and help realize their dreams.

 

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