Diversification activities in Chajul
14 August 2010,
The association "Mujeres unidas por la vida" (linked to the Asociación Chajulense coffee cooperative) has a new textile collection consisting of several interior and fashion accessories aimed at the european market.
The Progreso Program contributed to the development of this project from the Diversification component, by financing cooperation between the Guatemalan women's association and Dutch Design in Development (DDiD). DDiD contracted a Dutch designer living in Guatemala, Marjolein Keijsper, to work with the women and help them design the new collection.
Marjolein trained the women on improving their design skills and weaving technique, helped them understand the tastes and dynamic of the european market and explained all the steps necessary for completing a successful international delivery. Now that the collection has been developed, the project is focusing on finding (international) markets for the products.