Mercado Global has an innovative, multi-faceted approach to fighting poverty by providing training programs and market access for women artisans in rural Guatemala. Each Mercado collection starts with a journey to the highlands of Guatemala, where designers partner with indigenous women artisans to develop unique creations that fuse exceptional Mayan craftsmanship with modern design. The Mercado Global model helps mothers in Mercado's partner communities break the cycle of poverty and send their children to school.
Currently, Mercado Global works with 31 indigenous women’s cooperatives throughout Guatemala’s western highlands. Many of its partner artisans are widows or returned refugees from Guatemala’s civil war, and approximately 72% of its partner artisans are illiterate. By working with and providing training and support to indigenous artisan cooperatives, Mercado Global ensures that the women who need their help the most are connected to the income and empowerment brought by U.S. market access. This special evening at the Allied Arts Guild in Menlo Park will celebrate Mercado Global's recent successes in helping families overcome poverty.
Members of the press and community are invited to attend, however, RSVP is required. Please contact Chelsea Williams at Chelsea@mercadoglobal.org for event details. For more information about Mercado Global and its partner communities, please visit www.mercadoglobal.org
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Mercado Global is a cutting-edge nonprofit, Fair Trade organization with an innovative approach to fighting poverty and empowering indigenous women in Guatemala’s highlands by connecting their artisan cooperatives to sales opportunities in the U.S. on an unprecedented scale. Our sales and training programs help Guatemalan mothers break the cycle of poverty and gain the skills and support they need to address other local challenges. Mercado Global’s distinctive Fair Trade collections demonstrate the power of partnership to change the world, one purchase at a time. Mercado Global’s distinctive Fair Trade collections demonstrate the power of partnership to change the world, one purchase at a time. Our exclusive products combine exceptional Mayan craftsmanship with modern design. For more information about Mercado Global and its partner communities, please visit us at www.mercadoglobal.org
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/



