Artisans

Friendship Bridge client since 2006; part of Handmade by Friendship Bridge® since 2019   Marcela grew up in a three-room home in El Tablón, Sololá,...

Friendship Bridge client since 2014; part of Handmade by Friendship Bridge® since 2016 Elena, a Tz'utujil Maya woman, lives in the western highland...

Friendship Bridge client since 2003; part of Handmade by Friendship Bridge® since 2018. Santos is a resident of Caserio Chuacruz, Sector Cipresales...

Friendship Bridge client since 2006; part of Handmade by Friendship Bridge® since 2018 Lidia grew up in the rural community of Cipresales, in a fam...

Friendship Bridge client since 2007; part of Handmade by Friendship Bridge® since 2018 Antonia hails from San Jorge La Laguna, one of the smallest ...

Angelina learned artisan techniques as a girl by watching other women artisans in her community. She learned quickly, and by the time she was 14, she knew how to make backpacks, necklaces, and bracelets. Angelina started working for other artisans and delivered products to customers. At 18, she married and moved in with her in-laws, while she developed more artisan skills from her husband’s family members, including straw basket techniques and textile embroidery.

59-year-old Jacinta lives in Chimaltenango, Guatemala. She joined Friendship Bridge in 2009 and currently has participated in 18 loan cycles. Through her experience with the organization and, specifically, with Handmade by Friendship Bridge (since 2015), Jacinta has become an empowered woman and an even more successful artisan. Jacinta's first loan was Q2,000 (approximately $259), and thanks to her dedication, perseverance, and discipline; her loan size has increased to an eviqualent of about $970 in 2021.