MayaWorks

Located in Chicago, Illinois and Chimaltenango, Guatemala, MayaWorks is a fair trade nonprofit organization that promotes economic development for Maya women and their families by supporting a marketplace for their handcrafted goods. It is the belief of MayaWorks that community development happens through the economic development of women who otherwise have limited ways to participate and contribute to the economic health of their communities. As such, MayaWorks partners with over 125 artisans in 6 communities along the central highlands of Guatemala. All of Mayaworks' artisans are paid a fair wage for their work. Additionally, these artisans are supported through microloans to start their own businesses, literacy and skills trainings, and scholarships to send their daughters to school.

MayaWorks is about Mayan artisans and supports the women and men striving to improve their lives despite obstacles such as grinding poverty and illiteracy. MayaWorks groups are organized in many Guatemalan villages because of the considerable strengths of Mayan women, their traditional weaving capabilities, their desire to learn modern business practices, and their determination to benefit their families and communities.

Additionally, MayaWorks is about partnership and global friends who promote and purchase the colorful, attractive, affordable products of the Mayan artisans. Volunteers who display and sell the items in their local communities provide a critical contribution: a fair trade marketplace through which beautiful craft work can be exchanged for income returned directly to the artisans. Friends of Mayaworks far beyond the Highlands of Guatemala proudly wear and use items made by Mayan artisans.

MayaWorks is about interweaving lives in spite of apparent barriers of distance, language and culture. MayaWorks provides opportunities for all involved to discover one world through sharing our common concerns for health, literacy, dignity and justice. The singular goal of MayaWorks is contributing to Mayan artisans' economic security by creating substantial and sustainable markets for their products.

MayaWorks - Interweaving Lives

Fair Trade Artisans

Fair Trade Artisans
Learn about the artisans who make the wonderful items availble in our store.

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Boutique Services

Fair Trade Boutique
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The Fair Trader's Passion for Fair Trade

We at The Fair Trader want to share our passion for fair trade by sharing "Shopping That Makes A Difference" with everyone. You can be confident that a significant percentage of your dollars will go directly to the artisans around the world who create your purchases.  We are proud members of the Fair Trade Federation as well as Chicago Fair Trade.