HomeArtIndigenous Women in Toledo Take Arts and Craft to the Next Level

Indigenous Women in Toledo Take Arts and Craft to the Next Level

Indigenous Women in Toledo Take Arts and Craft to the Next Level

Indigenous Women in Toledo Take Arts and Craft to the Next Level

For this week’s Kolcha Tuesday, we’re heading down south to celebrate culture, creativity, and empowerment. Twenty-two indigenous women artisans from Toledo have taken their traditional skills to the next level, thanks to a unique program that blends heritage with entrepreneurship. From weaving stories into their craft to showcasing stunning new designs, these women are proving that culture isn’t just preserved, it’s thriving. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with more on how this initiative is transforming lives and communities.

 

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

Twenty-two indigenous women in southern Belize are taking their craft to the next level. Thanks to a partnership between Belize and Taiwan, Phase Two of a special training program has wrapped up, giving these artisans the tools to sharpen their traditional skills, boost their business know-how, and create products that are bigger, better, and ready for new markets.

 

Gustavo Requena

                        Gustavo Requena

Gustavo Requena, Director, Indigenous People Affairs

“It means that this program is rooted on a strong foundation where there is family support. It means that our graduates, their families, the Toledo District, Belize, and the world, are benefitting from this investment that you are making, Ambassador, and we thank you.”

 

The project wrapped up on Monday with a certification ceremony and the launch of a vibrant exhibition showcasing the incredible stories, skills, and creations of the women who took part. The exhibition is open to everyone, including schools and visitors, until October thirtieth.

 

Cirilia Chee

                Cirilia Chee

Cirilia Chee, Participant

“The training provided much-needed support as we empower ourselves to embrace our skills more, learn from each other, work with each other as only together we can move forward.”

 

Twenty-two artisans from communities like Mabil Ha, San Pedro Columbia, San Felipe, and Punta Gorda Town in the Toledo District got the support they need to turn their skills into real opportunities.

 

Marcelia Assi

                       Marcelia Assi

Marcelia Assi, President, Home of Indigenous Arts Belize

“Over the past [few] months, from June twentieth, we started on a journey to advance the skills and knowledge of these women. They are already utilizing the traditional skills to create products to improve their livelihoods. The learning, the sharing of experiences and being supported by experts in fashion design and handicraft industry was remarkable. Not only did the women appreciate working with each other to plan, to design, and even experimented, but they were able to create, innovate and represented their cultural heritage in their products.”

 

This event marked a major milestone in empowering women to achieve financial independence.

 

Osmond Martinez

                      Osmond Martinez

Dr. Osmond Martinez, Minister of State, Economic Transformation

“I was impressed with Mrs. Assi’s presentation because it spoke about innovation and, indeed, we have to be innovators in the twenty-first century. We have to be able to compete globally. We have to be able to market our product well. But more importantly, you must be able to understand the basic principles of accounting. What we are seeing today is not only a social program, but we are seeing a social program that is productive, that will be able to assist and help the beneficiaries of this project, those who have been able to upskill and reskill their human capital and to increase their human capital in a way that they would not have had that opportunity if it would not have been through the support of our friends from Taiwan.”

 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs extends its appreciation to the government and people of Taiwan for their unwavering support and partnership in helping empower women and promote independence.

 

Lily Li-Wen Hsu

                   Lily Li-Wen Hsu

Lily Li-Wen Hsu, Taiwanese Ambassador

“I know this is the second time that the Taiwan/Belize Women’s Empowerment Project teams up with the Home of Indigenous Arts in Belize. What makes this program so special is that by supporting skilled indigenous Maya women artisans handicraft productions, we are not just supporting these women, we are also preserving the Mayan cultural heritage. So I am very glad to see that, based on the foundation of our first collaboration in March 2023, this training program has further advanced the participating women artisans craftsmanship, built their entrepreneurial capacity and helped them promote their finest products to rich, marketable standards.”

 

Isani Cayetano for News Five.

Facebook Comments

Share With: