On our final day of the delegation, we attended a memorable reunion at Doña Francisca's home in Cerro Alto, a small community near Chimaltenango, led by Camila Castellon, a former UNBC student and CIDA/Tatamagouche internship winner. Doña Francisca survived the loss of her husband, who 25 years ago was murdered in the home courtyard where we sat. Doña Francisca, along with other widowed women, collectively developed a woman's cooperative in the early 1980's. The cooperative mandate includes the defense of human rights and raising awareness of violence against women.
(Photo credit: Catherine Nolin)

Through the sales of handmade textiles, food, and beauty products, the women have provided microcredit loans which allowed women to purchase land, grow their own produce, have chickens, and put their children through school.
(Photo credit: Catherine Nolin)

Many of the textiles are hand loomed, as demonstrated.
(Photo credit: JP Laplante)

I was privilaged to be dressed by the women in their traditional clothing. Looking good!
(Photo credit: Catherine Nolin)

Finally, a chance to purchase these beautiful textiles!
(Photo credit: Catherine Nolin)

These women are survivors. As one woman put it, "[I will] take you by the hand and we will face the struggle together." That is exactly what they have done for almost 30 years.
(Photo credit: Catherine Nolin)