Asociación Maya de Desarrollo
K’amolon K’i K’onojel

Asomadeq

In june 1987 with the economical opportunities virtually nonexistent, especially for the women, community leaders in Triunfo, Pujujuil searched for a solution to the grinding poverty of life in the mountain. With technical assistance from a Canadian volunteer, a small weaving project was started in the community. News of work at fair wages brought many women from surrounding areas to seek work with the group.

Well organised cooperative

What began as a self-help crafts project with 17 weavers, most of whom were widows as a result of the political repression waged against mayan communities during the early 1980, has gradually grown to include 280 women in an organized and self managed cooperative.
In march 1990 the members formally elected their first council of seven women as their board of directors. Without formal education and speaking only their native Cakchikel Mayan language, these women have accomplished the difficult task of running a growing and complex cooperative business.

The council is responsible to paying the weavers every month, keeping track of accounting, maintaining quality control and resolving production difficulties that arise among the group.

Education

In january 1995 Asociación Maya was granted official recognition by the Guatemalan government as a non-profit development organization. The group has had courses in  tailoring, alfabetizasion and organisation. The goal is to create work for the mayawomen that weave on the back strap loom.
It is generally known that back strap loom weavers are very exploited on both the national and international market. When the women are a part of a cooperative they receive a secure way of selling their products and in the same time get a better education.
All the members in Asomadeq are weavers from the areas around Pujuil II and Los Encuentros.

At Fair Monkey we sell the well matched bags and wallets in several smart colours from Asomadeq