Campesino to Campesino Self-Managed Development Project, Guatemala
Ilaria Josefina Mejía working on her family's loom. Photo: CIEDEG |
Conferencia de Iglesias Evangelicas de Guatemala (CIEDEG)
Conference of Evangelical Churches in Guatemala
Ilaria Josefina Mejía is a 14 year old adolescent, daughter of Juan Mejía Joj and Juana Chacaj Lux. She lives in the community of Xebé, Santa María Chiquimula Totonicapán, Guatemala.
Josefina is currently in the fourth grade. Together with her parents, Josefina makes traditional textiles on one of her family's looms. It takes her about one week to make one traditional piece, spending four hours each day on this task.
In order to increase family production she has been able to access credit granted by Ajtikonel, the Integrated Development Association through Conference of Evangelical Churches in Guatemala's Campesino to Campesino Self-Managed Development Project, supported by Church World Service and Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP).
When the Mejía family manages to make one dozen traditional textiles, they sell these items in town; with the proceeds from the sale they purchase kitchen utensils, shoes, and products for their basic food basket. Corn production complements the basic requirements of the family.
"I like to work traditional textiles on the loom because I earn something to buy things for myself," Josefina says.
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