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Mercado Global

Mercado Global has remained committed in our support of Every Woman Every Child, by expanding our work in rural Indigenous communities throughout the Guatemalan highlands. We continue to increase our impact, as we offer access to health and wellness education to more women, children, and families.

Addressing lack of educational opportunities, chronic childhood malnutrition, and a limited access to basic services, we provide the tools, training, individualized support, and entrepreneurial opportunities for women to become financially empowered. We have partnered with more than 600 women from nearly 70 communities to design and handcraft modern fashion accessories that incorporate traditional techniques.

Working as a Mercado Global artisan, women gain invaluable skills while earning consistent income. Artisans can then make investments in their children’s education, financial savings, health and wellness, and building their own businesses. Thanks to partners like EWEC, we have made a true impact in areas that are essential for individual and societal success:

Financial Empowerment: Three quarters of artisans report a significant increase in income and all of them now have a bank account – in comparison to 27% of the indigenous Guatemalan population – and 75% are regularly saving part of their earnings. This ensures artisans can invest what they earn back into their families and communities.

Childhood Education: 99% of our artisans can send their children to school now (more than 1,350 children) – in contrast from only 35% of rural Guatemalan children attending.

Nutrition: Between classes on combating malnutrition and an increased income, food security for new artisans tripled within two years of joining our programs and more mothers are able provide enough food for their families.

Health and Wellness: Participation in our health trainings and educational workshops has drastically impacted the health practices and outcomes for our artisans and their families across the board. With a better understanding of health and hygiene, they increase their frequency of doctor’s visits – 95% of our artisans’ children are vaccinated compared to the 70% who are new to our programs.

Women also participate in workshops focusing on wellness topics that are traditionally taboo in rural Guatemala communities, including self-love and worth, social and racial justice, reproductive education, sexual education, child care, and maternal health. Hiring and partnering with Indigenous women whose backgrounds are similar to Mercado Global artisans – and who have often completed our programs – has been a crucial component to our success. Not only does this build trust with artisans, but it demonstrates to the community how dedicated we truly are.

Our programs are made possible thanks to generous funders, partners, and consumers. With every purchase of a Mercado Global high-fashion accessory or home accent, our committed supporters are offering artisans and their families a higher quality of life.

 

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SECTOR
  • Business Community
Issue Area(s)
  • Child Health
  • Education
  • Nutrition
  • Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
region(s)
  • Latin America and the Carribean