Esperanz-Aarte

Our project Esperanz-Arte actually consists of two projects;
Mujeres Tejadoras is a women’s cooperative in the small village San Juan de Atitlan, stunningly located at the shore of the impressive Lake Atitlan. The ‘Weaving Women’ use naturally colored, organic cotton to weave the most beautiful shawls, bags, table runners and more. The women are able to work from home and their products are sold in a local boutique managed by the cooperative and nearby markets. In this way the women are able to provide a stable income and environment to their families.

Esperanza Hernandez together with her husband Edgar Martin runs a shop in Antigua. They’re helping to sell the collection for the Mujeres Tejadoras and at the same time they’re setting up an after school project where they learn local kids how to weave. This program provides the kids with a safe after school environment and also helps families to earn extra income. In addition, the kids are gradually becoming aware of their cultural heritage and learn to be proud of it.
  

Click here to read more about Esperanz-Arte on their website.

The women’s cooperative Mujeres Tejedoras in San Juan offers several half day tours around Lake Atitlan.
Learn how to make coffee, paddle in a kayak over the lake, learn more about the local traditions, meet Maximom, discover the art of weaving during a workshop and more!

Click here for the tours and prices.