We are a 100% worker-owned women’s weaving association based in Guatemala; created to help local women receive a fair salary through back-strap weaving textiles. This cooperative is the perfect place to volunteer if you’re creative; self-motivated; and interested in Guatemala’s Mayan traditions.
Working directly with 17 weaving cooperatives; representing 400 women from five different regions; our headquarters in the beautiful highland city of Quetzaltenango comprises a shop where the handwoven items are sold; and also a weaving school offering hands-on classes for individuals wanting to learn about Guatemala’s traditional weaving processes. We also have an online presence: an official website and an Etsy shop.
Our mission is to offer training; support; work and fair wages to the women of Guatemala; to uphold their families and their communities with honour; and to maintain and develop their art; stories; designs; and textile traditions.
We offer volunteer opportunities to people with skills in: business development; sales management; communications; marketing or PR; social media; graphic design; textile design and production; video production; web development; SEO or e-commerce.
The volunteer will have the opportunity to: learn about international development; fair trade; and cooperatives; gain experience in a variety of different fields and develop transferable skills; work in a dynamic; international team including working closely with the president and vice president of the association; learn about traditional Mayan weavings; practice their Spanish and discover Guatemalan culture.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions regarding lodging in Quetzaltenango or about the city itself.
Quetzaltenango
Year round
1 month minimum
Adults of both sexes 18+
At least 12 months experience in a relevant field or studying towards a relevant degree; self-motivation; creativity and flexibility; ability to work independently and take the initiative; enthusiasm for the values of TRAMA (fair trade; female empowerment; protection of cultural heritage); ability to adapt to diverse cultural settings; strong communicator with advanced English skills and at least basic Spanish.
There is no cost to participate but volunteers are responsible for covering their own living expenses. There are a number of inexpensive options for living in Quetzaltenango including hostels and host families.
