Employment opportunity for members of the Sewing Project

We are excited to embark on a new venture with a local NGO in Panajachel, Mercado Global.   Mercado Global  helps women artisan with viable employment opportunities.  They asked to partner with us because we have trained over 140 women from nearby communities with Sewing  Skills.  On Wednesday, Sept 7 we had a meeting with the 16 women who have been selected to partake on this employment opportunity and a Mercado Global representative.   Some of the women selected to participate have already worked with Mercado Global before, so they will serve as advisors to the new members who are taking on this project. The participants will create a steering committee for their group and they have also been asked to get the proper documentation to receive wages.  This is really empowering because women learn about organizational processes as well.  

The women were selected based on their sewing abilities as well as their economic need.   After undergoing the trial period, the selected participants will start making the conference bags for a well known international apparel company.  This particular company needs thousands of bags to be completed so this employment opportunity should keep the women busy for months to come!  Most importantly the women will be able to earn an income and help their families.  We are very happy to have facilitated this opportunity for the women by providing the sewing skills that are required of them.

Our sewing instructor, Don Alberto, is currently providing a couple of
training sessions to the women to ensure that they do a fantastic job with the bags