Eco-Artisan Women Center

In Chicacao, in the department of Suchitepéquez on Guatemala's southern coast, a group of women have a place of their own. A small center on land set aside for them, where they gather and work with bamboo. Give Back to the Source built it together with them.

At the end of 2024 we planted cacao and three kinds of bamboo on the land. Some of it took. The giant bamboo is growing well. Of the 13 cacao trees, five are still alive.

In August, Elisa de la Roca, our legal representative, went back to sit with the women and listen. They spoke plainly.

The land has no fence. Most weekends, groups of young people come in to drink and smoke. When the women ask them to leave, they are told the land isn't theirs. Then the center was broken into, and every tool they had was stolen. Without tools, the bamboo work stopped.

They also told us they have felt alone. Our support these past months has been thin. That is fair, and we are changing it.

They still want this place. There is water on the land now, and they are caring for the bamboo and the surviving cacao. They have offered to clean the grounds, varnish the pergola and work alongside a local mason to put up the fence themselves.

What we are raising, in order

First, safety. A 60 metre fence along the back of the property and a welded entrance gate. Without these, nothing else lasts.

Then, the work. New tools and bamboo, so the women can go back to making lamps and cups. They want to make around a dozen pieces a month and sell them. A modest income, and one they chose.

Then, the space. A sign naming it a Women's Community Center, a solid work table, chairs, and a bamboo weaving workshop in early 2027.

And presence. Monthly visits from Elisa for six months, so the women are not left on their own again.

USD 3,000 secures the center. USD 7,000 does all of it.

Every gift goes to this center. We will post updates as the posts go in, the gate goes up and the first lamps come off the table.

Where the money goes

The total is USD 7,000, funded in this order. The first USD 3,000 covers the fence, the gate and a margin for price changes. All figures are estimates until the quotes come in.

This table can go on the campaign page as is. Donors trust a budget they can see.