First Quarter - 2024

FAMILY-TO-FAMILY GUATEMALA

505 W. St. Thomas More Way

Spokane, WA 99208 NEWSLETTER
BASKET WEAVING | MUSIC COURSES | ENHANCEMENTS IN XEUL

The Art and Work of Weaving Baskets

When given news that single-use plastic bags would no longer be allowed in New
Ixtahuacán, Family-to-Family Regional Manager Adela Tambriz saw opportunity. Adela and Victoria discuss
a basket while Manuela and
Adela arranged the rst basket-weaving course of its kind in New Ixtahuacán, with Miguel measure material.
instruction provided by INTECAP. Fifteen women began the course by installing
nails into wooden molds made by Adela’s son Daniel. The nails serve as pegs around
which plastic thread is wrapped. After learning a basic weaving pattern, the
participants advanced to add more colors, designs, and individual creativity.
Teaching how to price the baskets, INTECAP instructor Victoria discussed the
quality of the baskets and the importance of the handles wrapping through the base.
She weighed the baskets to estimate the cost of the plastic thread, considered the Victoria explains a new
three to four hours it takes to make a basket, and added ve percent for each usage process to participants.
fee: wooden form, tools, space and energy. It was determined that the price of a
large basket should be 75 Quetzals, which is about $10, and the
price of a smaller basket should be 20 Quetzals. Baskets made to
order, or those with special colors or designs, should cost more.
Many of the women have already taught other members of their
families to make baskets. One husband, Miguel, now attends
the course with his wife Manuela so that he can make baskets Mother and daughter braid
when the weather prevents him from working in the eld. a handle in Old Ixtahuacán.
Further extending the opportunity, Adela’s assistant Marcela
took the course in New Ixtahuacán and now teaches the course
in Old Ixtahuacán. There, twelve women meet at the Training
Center for seven hours, one day each week, to learn the craft.
At both locations, participants expressed their gratitude for the
opportunity while relating the challenge of learning the art. At
left, Catarina holds up her rst basket and explains, “We help
each other; here we can say it is a mutual e ort. When I made
my rst basket, it was too hard. I was so discouraged that I said
I would not go to the second class. Manuela, Maria and the
others encouraged me and told me I had to learn, I had to work
hard, and that they would support me. Here I am, I made these Marcela helps participants
baskets, and I have mastered the skill.” fuse colors with ame.

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Opportunities in Music
One of the basket-weaving artisans in New Ixtahuacán brings
her sister Marta to the classes, but Marta does not participate
because she is blind. Marta’s family is part of our Family
Assistance program, receiving special support each month.
Adela would like to help Marta attend Family-to-Family
music classes in 2024, hoping she will be able to develop the
auditory and tactile skills involved in playing music.
Family-to-Family o ered a music course for fteen students
in 2023. Recognizing the bene ts of learning music on the
young participants, the community is hoping the course will
be o ered again in 2024. We are looking for a stable source of
income to cover the $240 it costs monthly to run the course.
The instructor, Felipe, is a professionally
trained music educator who lives in
Totonicapán. There, he conducts a youth
symphony orchestra, teaches marimba
classes and employs the Suzuki Method.
Felipe motorcycles to and from New
Ixtahuacán two or three times each week
to o er the one-hour-long music class in
the FTF Training Center. The youngest
participant, at seven years old, is seen
playing the drums in the photo below.
While students in the course may learn
keyboard, string, wind, or other
percussion instruments, the majority
learn to play the marimba. As the
o cial national instrument and an
integral part of Guatemalan culture, the
marimba o ers unique opportunities for
these young musicians. It seems likely
they be will be in high demand on
February 20, National Marimba Day.
First Quarter - 2024
Additions to Xeul Center
FTF workers and families have been busy at
our recreational and training center in Xeul.
While trout have been thriving, gardens
flourishing, and visitors coming from near
and far, two new features have been added.
A fusion of a traditional temascal, or steam
bath, and a solar-heated shower is now
available for bathing. The structure is
partitioned in two, each room with a bench
and a shower head. To heat both sides, a
single fire is stoked in a barrel which vents
out the back. The intensity of steam can be
increased by sprinkling water on the hot
barrel protruding inside. Eucalyptus branches
placed on the barrel release oils known to
cleanse and heal, filling the space with a
pleasant, relaxing aroma.
After the deep and enduring warmth provided
by the sauna experience, staying on site is
simple tranquility in the new sleeping cabin.
Pictured below, the cabin has two rooms
made of natural wood. The wood was
sourced and carried from Family-to-Family
reforestation projects near the coffee farm.
Future plans include renting cabins to guests.

About Family-to-Family Guatemala: Family to Family was founded in 1985 as an economic development
program in the Guatemalan Highlands. Its primary mission is to provide income-producing skills training and
resources to families and communities working to sustainably shift out of poverty. For further information
about the Family-to-Family program or to view previous newsletters, please visit our website
www.familytofamilyguatemala.com. You may also email us at ftfguatemala@gmail.com or call us at (509)
593-8204. This newsletter was written by local director Julianne Connell Sachs.

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