Fair Trade

Guatemala

This colorful Cat Collar was handmade by women with Unidas Para Vivir Mejor (United for a Better Life, or UPAVIM), an income generation project based just outside Guatemala City, called Esperanaza.

The cooperative was established in 1989 to give women jobs and paid its artisans a fair wage. Since then, UPAVIM has grown into a 60+ member business cooperative that supports its entire community. They established a community medical center and dental clinic, a scholarship and tutoring program, an infant growth monitoring and breast-feeding promotion program, as daycare center with Montessori-trained teachers, to generate income for the individual women and for these community programs.

Most importantly, these Guatemalan women have maintained a spirit of Hope, which many in similar circumstances lost long ago. By purchasing their products, you're helping to support an entire community.