Widows Collective
THE WIDOW’S OF CHEL
After suffering nearly thirty-five years of civil war, the Ixil people of northern Guatemala remain some of the most impoverished and destitute in Central America. The villages of Chel and Soltzil are home to nearly two hundred widows and abandoned mothers. The civil war took the lives of their husbands and the repercussions of the war and the economy stole their sons. In this tiny slice of the world, a day’s wage of $2.50 is not enough to cover the basics cost of living. A pound of beans cost 75 Cents and one way transportation to the closest trading center cost $2.50.
The women of five villages around Chel Guatemala have created an organization called “The Widow’s Collective”. This organization, run by a committee of eight Ixil women, not only seeks to ensure that the unfortunate are looked after but that each member contributes as capable in what we have titled “sweat equity”. The most elderly and unfortunate receive a monthly allotment of food while the more able women are being helped to find ways to earn a living. In 2008 this collective approached The Ripple Effect to help support the women producing their traditional weavings—creating huipiles (woman’s top), rebolsas (shawls), and serviettes (napkins). These weavings are very beautiful and extremely intricate, taking nearly two months to produce just one 16” x 60” rebolsa.
The Ripple Effect, has established a strong relationship with these women providing help in the form of pigs, chickens, and sheep as well as providing thread to support their traditional weaving craft. In 2011 we are implementing two new programs. Starting cargamomo and coffee nurseries and a family garden program. Previously, we have already helped over 37 families in two communities start almost 40,000 plants. These families have been able to sell their harvests through a fair trade market in Germany. This experience has given us great hope. Both coffee and cardamom are perennials that will produce for years to come. Our second main program “Personal Garden Plots” will offer a seed bank, vegetable starts and wire for fencing. This will not only allow them to produce their own food but to also have the option to sell their produce at market.
In addition to these two main programs we are seeking funding to purchase medical supplies (i.e. vitamins, dental floss, and first-aid supplies), blankets and children clothing. $10 will buy a blanket, $2.50 a fleece sweatshirt, $5 a pair of shoes.
In a place where one in five children fails to reach the age of five and having more than one pair of clothing is a luxury, a little charity can go a long way. The “Widow’s Collective” is just one of the many needs T.R.E. is addressing in this region. For additional information and a beautiful photo journal visit our blog at the or email us at the therippleeffectinc@gmail.com.
Thank you,
Michael Ewens
Founder
(253) 549-8857
creating new opportunities for the Ixil people of Guatemala through sustainable programs for change.
