Our organization works with women in 7 Maya K'iche communities in Guatemala. One of these communities, Los Cimientos, has a population of 672 inhabitants. This Mayan community in the remote Highlands of Guatemala is in desperate need of economic and moral support. The Mayan way of life is threatened by the loss of natural resources and agricultural lands taken by military occupation, and recently by armed civilians that have no respect for Los Cimientos community's legal title to the land. Recent threats to the Los Cimientos community, repeated destruction of their corn harvest and the killing of several work horses by the occupying armed community have led Los Cimientos community to seek international support from the United Nations and independent observers from the United States. Determined to find a non-violent solution to this situation, the community of Los Cimientos is continuing to present its case before the Guatemalan government and courts in order to have their land title and right to their ancestral homeland honored.

In addition to the Los Cimientos effort to have their land and way of life restored, this Maya K'iche community is working to support families in Batzula and 5 other Mayan villages where the Los Cimientos families lived as refugees for thirteen years after the Army displaced them from their land. Los Cimientos support for these families includes establishing an artisan's project and marketing hand-crafts made by the villagers. The money from the sales of this art goes directly into the hands of the artisans, the women and children. This money supports the sustainability of the native crafts project and serves as food funds for children, widows and Elders.

The Artisans of Batzula have asked me to thank you, our friends in the United States, for buying their hand-crafted Mayan art. They send a message from the children, women and men of these 7 Maya K'iche villages in Guatemala: "Maltiox nan " Thank you, gentle women, "Maltiox tat" Thank you, gentle men. "Maltiox Guatzaial" Thank you, brothers and sisters, "Kin kui co tik Kanim" Happiness from our heart, "Koji toc uj" Happiness from our children, "Cheri cha ai" Thank you for your work. "Maltiox clia gue tinimit" Thank you for helping our community.

The Artisans of Batzula, Quiche, Guatemala, are courageous Maya K'iche women and men who have come together to create a community project that will provide a sustainable income for their families. Infants and elders receive the benefits from the colorful hand-crafts produced by these artists.

 The Artisans of Batzula is a project of The Los Cimientos Alliance, a US humanitarian, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Artisans project includes 152 women, and several men, living in 7 villages near Nebaj in Guatemala. ALL proceeds from the sale of Batzula hand-crafts returns directly to the artisans who created them so they will be able to purchase food for their children, their aged parents and beloved grandparents.

In the early 1980's the brutal and genocidal Guatemalan Army swept through the Mayan Highlands of El Quiche. Hundreds of villages were destroyed and thousands of innocent children, women and men were murdered. Thousands of widows were left to raise their children by working for slave labor wages on the pesticide laden plantations of coffee, sugar and cotton. Each day there are more widows and widowers as their mates die from malnutrition and illnesses caused by the unlivable conditions they endure on the plantations. Our humble Artisans project offers hope that today, for this season, they will not have to travel to the plantations on the coast because they will earn the funds needed for food for by the sale of their hand-crafts.

Your purchase of hand-craft from the Artisans of Batzula will save a nursing mother from working a ten hour day in order to receive 65 cents or a dollar in an economy that requires at least $5 a day to survive. The purchase of one of our unique hats will protect a five year old child from having to work in a pesticide sprayed field on a south coast plantation where malaria is rampant. A colorful handbag will help a pregnant woman stay home, safe and well nourished, with her family.

 The Los Cimientos Alliance and The Artisans of Batzula thank, you for your support for these courageous Maya K'iche families of Guatemala.

Questions/comments/suggestions? Write us at alaf@livezone.com