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Cresencia (right), El Quetzal's agent, collaborates with the Presidenta of the women's group in S.A. Palopó.
Resplendent Quetzal

  The resplendent quetzal bird, found in southern Mexico and Central America, is a traditional symbol of liberty in the land of the Maya, as it does not live in captivity.
  Legend claims that the bird, which used to sing brilliantly, has been silent since the Spanish conquest. As the national bird of Guatemala, it is also on the flag and national seal. The country's currency is named after it.
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Cooperativa San Antonio Palopó The Women's Group

Thank-You Fiesta for El Quetzal's Literacy Project

Sixteen Kaqchiquel Mayan women who participated in the two-year literacy sessions offered by El Quetzal which ended in November of 2004 came together to thank their North American partners and plan for their futures. Besides the women and their many children, the fiesta was attended by Laura Ajanel, El Quetzal’s agent at the time and the program supervisor, and Linda Daniels, a representative of the El Quetzal Board.

First, the women shared their personal successes and frustrations in the recent classes. Several mentioned the joy of finally being able to write their names and distinguish the sounds of letters. Others cited the ability to read time on the clock, read doctor’s instructions and prescriptions, and to make change after purchases. Laura remembered some of her favorite class experiences, highlighted by the Women’s Day Fiesta in March of 2004, complete with food, poems and singing, and the teacher appreciation ceremony held last July.

Laura and Linda congratulated the women on the many clear advances they have realized in their lives since they first came together in 2001 to discuss the literacy project. Since that first formal session, many more women are now willing and eager to speak up with opinions and ideas for the future. When a new 7-woman Directiva or governing council was elected at the end of this gathering, it took only about a half hour instead of the 2-3 hours required for the first election.

Guatemalans really enjoy ceremonies, and this was no exception. The women had collaborated on two thank-you weavings, one for Laura and one for El Quetzal, which were presented, with applause and speeches, by representatives of the primary and post-primary classes. Our weaving legitimately belongs to all of El Quetzal’s volunteers and supporters. The women of San Antonio Palopó want all to know how valuable and appreciated your efforts have been.

Although El Quetzal decided to discontinue literacy classes in San Antonio Palopó for this year, CONALFA, the semi-governmental agency in Guatemala responsible for literacy, will offer classes in 2005 to the women who attended primary classes. El Quetzal committed to provide fair trade income to the women’s group throughout 2005, focusing on the gorgeous backstrap-woven scarves and expanding to include belts, glasses straps, coinpurses and table runners.