Beads for the future
By Julie DeLuca
PANABAJ, Guatemala – In October 2005, Tropical Storm Stan struck Guatemala with devastating flooding and mudslides. In the area near Lake Atitlán, entire communities were wiped out and lost their homes.
Two years later, many families still haven’t fully recovered from the impact. To help them to recuperate what they lost, an MCC partner, the Guatemalan Evangelical Mennonite Church, organized a women’s beading cooperative this summer. The income it generates helps the 15 women to support their families.
Together, the women buy beading materials and sell their products, which include necklaces, purses and other accessories.
In this area, MCC has helped to construct 72 homes, 40 latrines and 75 double beds. MCC has also provided a portion of funding to build a bridge to protect a major road from future flooding. MCC continues to assist communities affected by Tropical Storm Stan in western Guatemala and elsewhere in Central America and Mexico.
Julie DeLuca served as an MCC summer writing intern during summer 2007.
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