LAKE AMATITLÀN,
GUATEMALA
Community
- Fair Wages
Daily wages are equivalent to over two weeks of factory labour - Creating Steady Employment
Over 80% unemployment in Amatitlán - Additional 10% of Proceeds from Sales Donated
Investing in education and employment skills - Employs men & women
Almost 50% of value stays in Guatemala - Full inclusion of persons with disabilities
For updates from the village visit our blog.
Building a Future – One Person at a Time
Impact
ZOË Alliance is working with CH Global in Guatemala both in the rural region of Lake Amatitlàn and the urban centre of Guatemala City.
Our partnership is helping both men and women provide for their families. They are able to work in a safe environment, perform meaningful work, and provide for their futures. This is a very significant opportunity, one that is very rare in this environment.
CH Global recently opened a new Technical Training Centre in Lake Amatitlàn, Guatemala and it is here that many people will receive practical training that will help them find meaningful employment or go on to develop their own businesses with the help of a microfinance loan.
The production of the Cambiar Portfolio line is establishing an ongoing and steady work flow for the business in Guatemala employing men and women, many of whom have exceptional needs. In a country with over 80% unemployment this is very significant.
Even more than that however, they contribute to the livelihoods of people like Lilly who when asked why she was crying on payday said:
"Never have I dreamed of holding this much money, today I can provide for my son."
Opportunity for All – Exceptional People
Project
This project is exciting and unique. Unemployment is the fundamental and chronic issue everywhere we partner, however for people who have a developmental challenge such as being deaf, mute or some other exceptional need, unemployment is almost always 100%.
These are the forgotten ones. In countries with overwhelming challenges, they are often left to the side.
Working with CH Global in creating growing and sustainable employment for all people, including those with exceptional needs is a unique and special opportunity for impact.
This project employs men and women in the production of the ZOË Alliance Cambiar Portfolio line of products. The sale of each of these finely hand crafted and distinct leather portfolios helps:
- Create jobs with dignity
- Donates 10% toward the supplies needed to provide ongoing education at the technical training centre
- Addresses two of the key needs of Guatemala – employment opportunity, and education of the work force
Courage, Persistence, and the Audacity to Hope
People
Raul, Jorge, Lilly, Wilma are just a few of the names of the people who are daring to hope. Raul is the program manager, a deaf mute man whose life story would break our hearts.
Yet like everyone at CH Global in Guatemala, the challenges of the past and the persistence of security and poverty issues of the present are no reason not to create a future.
These young people are building a future for themselves and their communities with the income and opportunity being generated by this initiative. Raul is finishing up his business degree and Wilma is providing for her family including her husband, who was disabled in an accident at work, and their 5 children.
It is a privilege to work alongside them and the leadership at CH Global as we invest together in the future of this community.
Seeking to Overcome a Legacy of Violence and Crime
History
Guatemala is a country of great contrasts and strengths. It is also a country with a long history of conflict and challenges. As recently as 1996, Guatemala ended 36 years of armed conflict and civil war with the signing of a Peace accord. It has functioned with a representative government since that time and has made significant progress in battling poverty and other societal challenges since 2001 with the preparation of a National Poverty Reduction Strategy.
Even with all this progress, Guatemala has a long journey ahead. They continue to be second only to Haiti in their level of poverty in the Western hemisphere.
The focus of development efforts in Guatemala are seeking to offset several systemic challenges in generating more diversified and growing income sources for families. A key focus is to ensure that continued investment is attracted to the country to aid in the revitalization of the agricultural and other industries.
- Exploding violent crime – doubled 2000-2006 with almost 6,000 homicide cases in 2006
- Low levels of education leading to an unqualified work force
Young people in Guatemala face the reality of high crime (one in five households is victimized in every 12 month period), low opportunity for work, and low punishment (less than 2% of homicides result in conviction). Given these realities there is little wonder so many make poor choices.
The focus for the future is to reform the security and judicial system and to improve the education level of the work force so that more opportunity can be created in the country.
(Source: Guatemala Poverty Assessment, March 18, 2009. World Bank)