Hello!

We’re trying something new here. 

Introducing A Continuous Thread, a personal note offering a conversational snapshot of what’s happening in the world of Mayan Hands. Each month you can expect stories about our artisan partner groups, dispatches from our team in Guatemala and the U.S., challenges and triumphs big and small.

We have so many meaningful stories to share! I want you to know more about what we’re working on, and howyour support is changing lives.

With appreciation and gratitude for you, our community,

- Madeline Kreider Carlson, Executive Director

Taxes?

Admittedly, taxes sound like a boring focus for a day celebrating scholarship students and their families. But April’s scholarship student gathering transformed a tedious topic into an opportunity for cross-generational collaboration.

Each of Mayan Hands’ artisan partner groups functions legally as a micro-business, known as a pequeño contribuyente. When a group receives payment for their finished products, they report that income to SAT, Guatemala’s tax authority, and pay taxes.

Given that many artisans never had the opportunity to go to school, the process of filing taxes–and the threat of a fine if errors are made–is understandably intimidating. About ⅔ of groups pay an accountant to help them file. Unfortunately, some groups have worked with predatory accountants who overcharge for basic services, taking advantage of artisans’ limited formal education and poor understanding of the system.

Meet Aurelia:Aurelia is very familiar with what it means to be an artisan entrepreneur. A daughter and granddaughter of accomplished weavers, she and many members of her extended family have been members of the Santiago Atitlán weavers’ group. Aurelia is in her fifth year of university and will soon finish her accounting degree. For years, Mayan Hands scholarships have supplemented her family’s investment in her education.

At this gathering, Aurelia is not just participating as a scholarship student. She is facilitating the day’s educational activity: helping mothers and daughters work together to navigate SAT’s reporting system and gain confidence. The objective is to ensure each group has the skills and knowledge to independently navigate SAT, so that they need not depend on a hired accountant.

Aurelia leads the group through SAT’s mobile app and answers questions about the filing process. For most daughters, this is their first time encountering SAT– but they have an advantage, having grown up with digital technology. Many daughters read, write, and use cell phones more confidently than their mothers.

Each artisan group creates a timetable for tax filing deadlines, and daughters pledge to support their mothers if they should need technical assistance.As mothers and daughters work together, the respect flows both ways.

The workshop is about teaching life skills–many of the students will someday need to file their own tax declarations–but it’s also about fostering appreciation and collaboration between mothers and daughters.

Aurelia addresses the group- Mothers & daughters work together to create tracking tools

Students share gratitude and encouragement

I’ll leave you with some of the scholarship students’ own words.They were asked to reflect on the reasons why some girls drop out of school, and the sources of support that have kept them going: 

“My dear papá and mamá, I want to thank you for all the unconditional support you have given me. Your encouragement, sacrifices, and love have been fundamental to me on my path.”

-Leidy, from Pixabaj

“My message to other girls: don’t abandon your studies, despite the obstacles and doubts. With effort and resilience, anything is possible. We can look up to women like our mothers, or like Cristina Koch, the first woman to orbit the moon on the recent NASA mission, who demonstrate that with discipline, we can achieve great goals.” 

-Zugeily, from San Lucas Tolimán 

“Education is the most powerful tool that you have to be free and achieve your dreams. Don’t let anyone stand in your way! Every book you read, every class you take, brings you closer to the incredible woman you are destined to become. Keep moving forward, the world needs your talent!” 

-Wendy, from Vasconcelos 

Students from San Lucas Tolimán close out the gathering, presenting a folkloric dance

Your role 

Our education program, including scholarships and twice-annual gatherings, is funded by donations from our generous community. Thank you for making these meaningful learning opportunities possible. 

Things we love: 

• Following along with Multicolores artists in Milan as they represent Maya art and design in the world’s fashion capital

• The incredibly unique design of the new Pine Points basket - which will be back in stock next week!

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