Simply put, there is no such program that I have encountered in the past 20 years of being involved with the investigation and implementation of such programs. If only it was so simple. Governments and NGOs have thrown 3 trillion dollars at poverty, and it appears that we are not much better than … [READ MORE]
Guest Blogger Carla Costuros – 40 Years Later . . . Transforming Beauty into Beauty • Part III
During the second week we switched to felt-making, starting with ‘animalito skin’ felts using undyed local white and brown fleeces. These, the mamas stitched into pantuflas (baby slippers). Our second project was coronas (crowns) for the preschool. With this project, the mamas started to learn how to layer felts for pattern, design, and different purposes. Next, having developed their skills, […]
Guest Blogger Carla Costuros – 40 Years Later . . . Transforming Beauty into Beauty • Part II
Natural dyeing continues in a few pueblos in Guatemala on cotton fibres, but my research did not turn up any reference on the current use of natural dyes with wool. We did find a local fellow, Pedro Gieron, who has recently taken up natural dyeing (on cotton) and as part of our workshop, we had the opportunity […]
Guest Blogger Carla Costuros – 40 Years Later . . . Transforming Beauty into Beauty • Part I
In the early 70’s I discovered weaving and natural dyeing. When the opportunity arose to study the textiles of Guatemala, I eagerly embarked on what was the beginning of a life journey. The weaving in Guatemala is unique and complex. In the mornings we studied with the accomplished weavers from San Antonio Aguas Calientes, and […]
Celebrating One Year!
This month we celebrate one year since our preschool program began! I can’t believe a whole year has whipped by so quickly! Last January we hired Maria Alicia Choc (Ali) and she began teaching the children in our Community Hall on January 15th. Seven weeks later, we moved everyone over to our just completed “learning […]
The Holidays at Project Somos
It has been a busy couple of weeks for us at Project Somos. We held our Santa workshop where for two days, our workers made beautiful wooden toys for the kids! (their kids and the Somos kids) This year we made wagons and wooden block sets (like Jenga). We had our second annual solstice celebration. […]
Facing the Challenges
Excerpted from my speech at our Grand Fiesta on Thursday, October 29th. Eighteen months ago we welcomed our first two families. Since then we have helped five women and fifteen children. We have learned some valuable lessons in this short time period; Without the ability to envision something better, people cannot change their course. When […]
Are there Christmas Trees in Guatemala?
I bet you didn’t know this… Tecpán is the Christmas Tree capital of Guatemala! Yup. Every weekend during the month of December Guatemalans, seeking to fill their homes with the scent of pine, drive along the Central American highway to one of four different “Pinavete Fincas” to pick up their tree! We’re talking big, beautiful […]
Guest Blogger – Ken Spencer: Internet 2.0 for Project Somos
Last year I took on the task of putting in an Internet connection to the Project Somos site in the highlands of Guatemala. When I finished, the Internet worked way better than what Greg and Heather had had before and they were very happy. They were happy, but I wasn’t, for two reasons: at the best […]
Guest Blogger – Judy Gale
“Mama!” “Mama!” The twins in turn cry out tearfully, running towards us. These are adventuresome two-year-olds who roam freely through the Project Somos Village, who will clamber up and down a teeter totter without stopping if you let them, and one of whom would have launched himself off down the mini zipline if he hadn’t […]