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Dfw 2014. semestre final

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WALKING TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY

Accomplished by funding from Dining for Women;

Together, with support from Maya Educational Foundation

June 2014

Executive Summary

As planned from the inception, Oxlajuj B'atz' came under the control of the indigenous women members. The women, whose eight internal cooperatives are represented by the umbrella organization, have long received trainings in various arts and crafts. However, given the profound structural change, they needed assistance in taking the first steps in networking their communities and, also, in exploring how to bring their goods to global markets.

For women, especially massively illiterate women, to enter the world of commerce requires a temerity they do not possess. So, at the outset of 2014, the way to "Walk towards Sustainability" appeared neither clear nor easy. They chose to focus on strengthening the organization's leadership circles and to approach business management poco a poco. With this unique entrepreneurial spirit, both efforts succeeded: 11 elected members and staff produced an actionable business plan and operations guidelines for the store.

In six months, a core group of members, elected for the task, has assumed responsibility for transmitting the expanding knowledge bases of democratic and business processes. Both skills are key to running this authentic, home grown, fragile Fair Trade operation.

Oxlajuj B’atz’

Casa Kaqchikel, Calle 14 de Febrero,

Panajachel, Sololá, Guatemala

Tel/Fax: 7762-6245

Website: www.oxlajujbatz.org.gt

FULFILLED ACTIVITIES

OBJECTIVE 1: To implement a sustainable membership plan including workshops for

the development and strengthening the organizational abilities of members.

A.1.1. Membership Plan and Integration of Groups of Artisans into the General Assembly: A Step in Defining a Sustainable Participation Strategy.

Membership Plan: “Walking towards Sustainability" requirements were reviewed, actualized and, so, the annual membership plan was redefined. It sets forth the commitments and benefits that the women will actualize, going forward.

At the end of June, there will be more community visits to confirm and demonstrate the promises and benefits of membership.

The General Membership of Oxlajuj B’atz’ convened for two days at the end of February. In that meeting, the directive leadership of the association convened the women legally associated with OB, in order to provide them with narratives and financial reports on the projects and programs carried out in the year 2013. Promoting working democracy in the General Assembly of OB

concluded the 28th of February when the membership plan was approved. At this meeting, each woman agreed to assume ownership of the structures and processes that lead to the sustainability within the organization Team OB, in conjunction with the directorial group, presented the activities in the areas

of: Democracy and the Development of Groups, programming of Young Mayan Women Artisans, Health and Well-Being, a Fair Trade Store, Craftsmanship and Product Development, and the

Oxlajuj B’atz’

Casa Kaqchikel, Calle 14 de Febrero,

Panajachel, Sololá, Guatemala

Tel/Fax: 7762-6245

Website: www.oxlajujbatz.org.gt

Women’s Center. Included, herewith, is the report so that the donors are aware of what is occurring, the value of donations for the programs for the years 2013 and 2014. In the Assembly, there was active participation by 21 female representatives of the fifteen (8 internal/ 7 external) groups associated with OB. They came to learn about the activities that had taken place, what had been expended, received, donated, the state of projects and what to expect in the future.

The pace quickened when the women from the Assembly exercised their democratic leadership in making decisions about various aspects about the organization, among these were the modification of OB’s organizational structure, changes in workplace conditions and plans for work. Action Plans were drafted based on the availability of funds and the proposed and necessary reduction of expenses during 2014.

Since the convocation of the Assembly up to the present, the women are making strides towards installing more democratic processes to improve their association. These processes aim at promoting participation among the women of the General Assembly in the activities in both the Center and their communities in order to make general leadership more transparent and cooperation easier. The women are coming to exercise their collective voice and to cherish their right to vote on organizational activities and strategic decisions.

The women are satisfied and comment: “Now that we know more about OB, we feel confident and no longer fear asking questions because we are part of everything.” With this quote, the objectives of the association are being achieved.

Oxlajuj B’atz’

Casa Kaqchikel, Calle 14 de Febrero,

Panajachel, Sololá, Guatemala

Tel/Fax: 7762-6245

Website: www.oxlajujbatz.org.gt

A.1.2. Training Plan and Strengthening of the General Assembly: Leadership Workshops, Administration, and Product Development.

In the area of strengthening the women’s leadership within the General Assembly, a series of

workshops were held in the Women’s Center. They were presented as tools of empowerment,

utilizing a participative methodology, education for adults, i.e., “learning by doing.” Each event

was given in the mother tongue of the visiting group. Following are the details:

Workshop on the processes of production: duration of 2 days (27 and 28 of March) with the participation of 17 women. See the link: http://www.slideshare.net/Oxlajuj/capacitacin-procesos-de-produccin

The women were instructed how to identify the characteristics of products - distinguishing popular from exclusive markets. They applied models and tools for analysing strategic business ideas and redefined the mission and vision of the social businesses of OB. In this conversation, they discussed quality standards for each product line and, in the end, fully understood their importance. Inventory systems, including codes and hang tags, were improved and the process of delivering and tracking products in and out of the OB store was streamlined.

In this interactive workshop, the women collectively discussed the steps to producing high quality products for the exclusive fair trade markets and the mechanics of store management. They found a weakness in the system of product registration.

See link: http://didreyfus.wordpress.com/2014/03/30/oxlajuj-batz-hosts-marketing-workshop-for-cooperatives/

Train the Trainer workshop minted eight instructors in for community workshops:

The workshop was held on May 8, 2014. Eleven representatives and leaders from their communities participated in order to form the workshop which examines production processes for the different markets.

In this workshop, the leaders went over their knowledge of production and were also given a formation on how to design and deliver training. They named the characteristics of a good instructor and were taught how to step through delivery. The structure recommended included giving an introduction and instigating motivation activities, refining analysis in a group, promoting group work and structuring schedules and blending teaching methodologies to make a creative and participatory community workshop meaningful. As an added benefit, the workshop facilitated the women in learning how to share (and value) their experiences in a group setting.

Oxlajuj B’atz’

Casa Kaqchikel, Calle 14 de Febrero,

Panajachel, Sololá, Guatemala

Tel/Fax: 7762-6245

Website: www.oxlajujbatz.org.gt

See link: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=681813881854668&set=pcb.681814595187930&type=1&theater

The result of this workshop was that the women gained confidence in their ability to present and some knowledge of the skills needed for effective workshop leadership. Meanwhile they elaborated on the more commercial aspects of the workshop concentrating on the following topics: types of markets, product lines, and registry formats to ensure product delivery, and continuously honed inventory control and store management responsibilities. Workshop with “SI PLAN” developed business plan: A technical expert from the Canadian NGO, Prosol (Project of Economic, Rural Development from Solola) made an initial site visit on May 9 to assist in producing a plan for the store. This was ultimately accomplished in several visits with the participation of twelve women, representing communities, and with the technical team of Oxlajuj B’atz '.

During the process, the women were walked through business planning and given instruction on how to use the NGO’s proprietary software to elaborate future business plans and reports called SI PLAN (YES PLAN). It is designed to incorporate changing business objectives, determine which products are selling, perform market analysis (considering products, services, clients, competence, selling strategies, estimate seasonal demand, market prices and perform market projections. The activity resulted in a 3 year production plan, advocating new fixed investments, estimating employee demand. Also produced were an organizational plan, a financial indicator plan, a balance sheet, guidelines for the manner in which the environment is cared for by the business, steps to gender equality, and the identification of specific needs of support. Moreover, based on this plan, the women decided to move their store to a more commercial area.

See link: http://oxlajujbatz.wordpress.com/2014/05/14/mayan-women-oxlajuj-batz-develop-their-business-plan/

Production and Administration of the Fair Trade Store: From the first through the fourth of April, OB presented a workshop, utilizing the methodology “Learn by Doing.” During this time, the women put into practice the knowledge acquired in the prior workshops. Sadly, after the first inventory was taken, there was much distess over losses. So, of necessity, special attention is given to the controlling the egress and ingress of products. (There was discussion of

Oxlajuj B’atz’

Casa Kaqchikel, Calle 14 de Febrero,

Panajachel, Sololá, Guatemala

Tel/Fax: 7762-6245

Website: www.oxlajujbatz.org.gt

how to finance theft, loss and damage insurance.)To complete the activity, the women elected a new store administrator to ensure that store has better product control using the system of inventory, codes, and prices.

In this same direction, they concentrated on keeping books - a formal registry of production - and began to investigate better ways of exhibiting and hanging goods. They used color palettes, invented style numbering, and studied how to process payments for products. They also defined their own notions of of an exclusive store, how to innovate for that and were walked through the steps required for the payment of taxes, setting up systems of organization and, finally, how to take action on sales strategies and enhance commercialization of their brand.

These big steps were taken with the participation of eleven women representatives from the groups; two women from Chimaltenango - Ranm Ixoqi’ , three from Patanatic - Las Roses; two women from Sololá - Waqxaqi’ Kan, one from the group of Chuwilá from Chichicastenango, one from the group of Maya Quiché de Totonicapán, one from Nuevo Amanecer from Suchitepéquez and another from la Esperanza from Sololá.

The activity set forth nine mechanisms for administering the store and invited the women to maintain records within their groups. To this end, individuals were given folders to track their own production. In the process, groups selected their best quality products to continue and are eliminating the lesser quality products. There were new product presentations in the store, new prices set, fresh internal formats agreed upon within groups.

After the effective lessons the women said:

“We are very happy to know all that happens in the store and how to manage a store”

“Now I know how many products I have and for how much they are sold.”

“I feel a certain confidence when I enter the store, I no longer am afraid and am sincerely happy” “Thanks to our donors, which has helped us so much with their support.”

“Now we are administering our own store.”

Oxlajuj B’atz’

Casa Kaqchikel, Calle 14 de Febrero,

Panajachel, Sololá, Guatemala

Tel/Fax: 7762-6245

Website: www.oxlajujbatz.org.gt

A.1.3. Community Visits and Replications

During the months of May and June the workshops were carried out, in seven of the communities,

achieving the training of 70 Mayan women from the rural areas of Guatemala, the box below

details the information.

Department Group No. Participants Chimaltenango Ram Ixoqi’ 15 Quiché Chuwilá 8 Totonicapán Maya Kiché 11 Suchitepéquez Nuevo Amanecer 5 Sololá Waqxaqi’ Kan 12 Sololá Morales – Esperanza 7 Sololá Patanatic – Las Rosas 12 Total 7 groups 70 women

The women learned about the types of markets and actively participated by defining the market for which they would like to produce -- always with the end design of generating their own income to benefit their families. They are especially focused on providing opportunities for their children that they themselves lacked. Their acute priority is making the way for their daughters and sons to attend school.

See link: http://oxlajujbatz.wordpress.com/2014/05/23/oxlajuj-batz-dinamica-de-motivacion-mayo-2014/

They discussed the importance of sound group organization in determining and achieving common objectives, standards of quality of the products, codes, tags, innovation, creativity, systems of control for marketing each artisan’s products. They are still developing ways to increase product sales, seeking better forms of administering the store, and creating standards for the high quality required to enter more exclusive markets.

It is important to highlight the role of the women leaders who have developed since last year and during this year. They are now facilitating workshops in their own and other communities. They are exercising their leadership and participating in activities not traditionally open to women (including becoming active in Disaster Preparedness and exploring other roles in civil society.) In short, they are breaking

the bonds of gender and stereotypes on behalf of their fellow women. This activity motivates the women to feel comfortable in ordinary situations. They believe that they have a real opportunity to carry on development and strength of the trainings of other women, it is a manner of leaving the training installed in the communities.

Oxlajuj B’atz’

Casa Kaqchikel, Calle 14 de Febrero,

Panajachel, Sololá, Guatemala

Tel/Fax: 7762-6245

Website: www.oxlajujbatz.org.gt

See link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2ZLgx6uixc&feature=youtu.be

Oxlajuj B’atz’

Casa Kaqchikel, Calle 14 de Febrero,

Panajachel, Sololá, Guatemala

Tel/Fax: 7762-6245

Website: www.oxlajujbatz.org.gt

OBJECTIVE 2: Development of Activities to Generate Funds for the Social Enterprise of

OB: Promotion of the Mayan Women and Fair Trade Store.

A.2.1. Celebration of March 8--International Woman’s Day

Preparations: At the end of February and the beginning of March, preparations were achieved with the support of 5 female artisans, being the first time they participated in the planning, organization, and the execution of the activity.

See link: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=652086554827401&set=pcb.652088418160548&type=1&theater

It was agreed that a walk called “Peace for Women” would be carried out in conjunction with an exhibit. We also obtained a permit to sell products in the street with the most tourist traffic.

Opening Meditation: Thirty Mayan women, representing the distinct groups of artisans from the six departments of Guatemala, participated in a meditation which centered on giving thanks and asking for life and wellbeing of women, and calling for a world without violence, inequality, and discrimination.

“Peace For Women” Parade Passed through the main streets of Panajachel, to spread the word in the community about International Women’s Day and to motivate men and women to work toward equality and equity.

A mobile loudspeaker was passed around the march route in Panajachel. Six foreign volunteers (5 women and 1 man) contributed to the event by translating in French and in English. Women from the groups translated in Kaqchikel, K’iche, and Spanish to ensure that the women’s message reached everyone within earshot.

The women handed out flyers as they took to the street to promote the store and invite people to the exhibition of products and to see the backstrap weaving classes. These activities were also promoted over commercial radio and at a local restaurant.

Oxlajuj B’atz’

Casa Kaqchikel, Calle 14 de Febrero,

Panajachel, Sololá, Guatemala

Tel/Fax: 7762-6245

Website: www.oxlajujbatz.org.gt

Exposition and Sale of Products: All of OB’s groups set up booths in a prime location to sell their fair trade products. The sale was very successful for the artisans due to the location and due to the fact that it was a Saturday and the activities caught the attention of many foreign tourists.

The result of this activity: promotion of women’s rights and OB as an organization, established contacts with potential clients from Israel, Europe, and the United States many of whom made purchases and expressed interest in representing products, and setting up tours to the communities.

Seelink:https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.653231158046274.1073741839.201361413233253&type=1

On April 29 2014 OB was invited to give a talk at the Rainbow Cafe “NGO Night.” Staff traveled to Antigua, Guatemala to promote the mission, vision, programs, dreams of the women artisans and the demonstrate products of the fair trade store.

See link:http://oxlajujbatz.wordpress.com/2014/04/03/29-de-abril-charla-con-rainbow-cafe-en-antigua-guatemala/

See link:http://oxlajujbatz.wordpress.com/2014/05/12/gracias-y-thanks-a-cafe-arcoiris-rainbow-cafe/

Oxlajuj B’atz’

Casa Kaqchikel, Calle 14 de Febrero,

Panajachel, Sololá, Guatemala

Tel/Fax: 7762-6245

Website: www.oxlajujbatz.org.gt

A.2.4. Product Diversification

As the artisans became more involved, they seek to diversify and create more elegant product lines to raise the store’s overall quality, to equal an exclusive store.

The group from Patanatic, Las Rosas, is improving their greeting card designs. They are integrating embroidered animal figures and nahuales from the Mayan Calendar on stationery. These cards include the meaning behind the figures, come in different sizes and will come with an envelope.

The group from Totonicapán, Maya Quiche, is creating animals made from scrap fabric and crochet. These products are not up to OBs standard of quality yet. These artisans are also working on developing a line of scarves for kids. This month eleven of the women received a workshop on making scarves for children using naturally dyed cotton. As part of the workshop, they were provided with samples and the necessary starter supplies of thread and needles.

Maya Kiché was motivated by the workshop and will be continuing with follow up workshops on crochet and jewelry making. This is planned so that the group to be able to increase their sales.

The group from Suchitepéquez, Nuevo Amanecer, set a goal of improving their chocolate products. They are currently looking for new ways of packaging and presenting their products. They have also expressed interest in sewing classes. Nuevo Amanecer is a creative group with dreams of bettering themselves through their participation in the activities of OB.

Oxlajuj B’atz’

Casa Kaqchikel, Calle 14 de Febrero,

Panajachel, Sololá, Guatemala

Tel/Fax: 7762-6245

Website: www.oxlajujbatz.org.gt

A.2.5. Promotion of the Cultural Center and the Fair Trade Store

Integration of the women in the management of the Fair Trade Store: at the end of January, Dorfa

from Las Rosas and Elva from Ranm Ixoqi’ became members of Team OB to help with the

management of the store. This involved the merchandising processes detailed above. In April, 11,

women from the communities received training about the new store management system. These

representatives make most of the decisions regarding the store themselves. Delegating leaders is an

important step in the process of making the store a sustainable business. The positive outcome of

this training is that the artisans are now the administrators of their store.

In the past two months we have promoted tours to the communities and weaving lessons in the

cultural center, both of which have potential to generate further income for OB.

Oxlajuj B’atz’

Casa Kaqchikel, Calle 14 de Febrero,

Panajachel, Sololá, Guatemala

Tel/Fax: 7762-6245

Website: www.oxlajujbatz.org.gt

A.2.6. Monitoring and Ongoing Evaluation

Evaluation of activities is ordinarily completed by the person in charge of or assigned to the

activity. The monitoring form is filled out and archived. Activities are also structured and guided

by the use of: methodological guides, attendance lists, minutes of activities and photographs.

The community facilitators also manage a field notebook, where they record the activities and

results. Our facilitators also perform dynamic evaluations with the women at the close of each

workshop, visit and commemorative activity. In fact, the activity descriptions in this report come

directly from OB’s in house monitoring and evaluation reports.

Accomplishments Reached and Impacts Realized

Active participation of the women as leaders in activities in their communities and as empowered decision makers in. As subjects of their own development, defined from their own needs, the women continue to be empowered to learn about themselves and the world they live in.

Enhanced leadership and self-empowerment abilities by the women, especially with regard to management of the store, processes of production and decision-making about OB as an organization. This is thanks to the workshops, technical assistance and productive activities.

Generating employment and income opportunities for women through productive activities and marketing of products in the fair trade shop, which is currently administered by the women themselves as a contribution to their economic autonomy?

Oxlajuj B’atz’ achieved its goal of "integrating the artisans in favor of the common good of the women, for their welfare and that of their families,” as all of the women have been involved in this ongoing process of integration.

The main impact is that the women are leaders, protagonists of their own development, who are leaving their fears of speaking in public and of leaving their homes behind them and defending their dreams and their rights.

Oxlajuj B’atz’

Casa Kaqchikel, Calle 14 de Febrero,

Panajachel, Sololá, Guatemala

Tel/Fax: 7762-6245

Website: www.oxlajujbatz.org.gt

COMPLIANCE WITH OBJECTIVES AND CHANGES GENERATED

OBJECTIVE1: Implementating a Membership Plan Including Training Processes for Development of Organizational Skills

We have met our goal of integrating the women in the administrative work of the organization, establishing solid organizational bases, and they are members and protagonists in the process of the empowerment of more women.

The main change in the women is that they are no longer just beneficiaries, but are now active facilitators and leaders in their communities and other communities.

Strengthened the skills and capabilities of the women of managing their business in the fair trade market.

OBJECTIVE 2: Development of New and Existing Initiatives to Generate Income for OB’s Social Enterprise

The women actively participated in the formation of a three year business plan, product innovation for an exclusive store, and investigation of new markets for sustainability.

Workshops and personalized technical assistance for all groups for the creation of new products and the improvement of those existing.

CHALLENGES AND OBSTACLES IN PERFORMANCE

It is important that the women integrate at their own pace, which means that this is a long term process.

Democratic decisions are best, and according to the experiences in this six month period, these decisions are also time consuming because they require that the leaders are all in consensus. When decisions are urgent, this can be an issue.

The business is an opportunity to generate sustainable income, currently this objective has not been met, due to a decrease in tourism in Guatemala which has led to a general decline in the sale of artisan handicrafts. Other factors, such as the lack of resources and production capabilities needed for meeting the demands of an exclusive, competitive, demanding market. These factors are challenges that we aim to address in this upcoming period.

Oxlajuj B’atz’

Casa Kaqchikel, Calle 14 de Febrero,

Panajachel, Sololá, Guatemala

Tel/Fax: 7762-6245

Website: www.oxlajujbatz.org.gt

SCHEDULE COMPLETION

In this semester, the majority of the scheduled activities were executed within the time stipulated. As can be seen in the schedule, community visits and workshops with each group and several other activities are planned for the six upcoming months. 6

PROGRAM FINANCING

Este es el segundo año de financiación con un monto de $.15, 000.00 anual, para la ejecución del

proyecto.

Las fuentes de financiación declaradas continúan como inicialmente fueron planificadas. En este

año se ha ejecutado $.9, 304.22 anuales con un saldo de 5,695.78 para el siguiente semestre.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

Salaries & Benefits x x x x x x x x x x x x

PROGRAM SERVICES & SUPPLIES

x x x x x x x

x x x x x x x x

x x x x x

In-Center member workshops, trainings & meetings (9

workshops)

In-Center group mentoring, exchanges of ideas & experiences

(2 exchanges)

In-Community workshops (9 months, 10 community visits

each month)

International Women's Day Exhibition and Annual Leadership

Assembly (1 event)

International Day of the World's Indigenous People Annual

Cultural Event (1 event)

Member tours to museums & local exclusive stores in Antigua

and Guatemala (2 trips)

Execution Plan

x

New Product Development: Market niche, diversity and

expansion of product offerings (12 months, 6 visits each

month)

Mid year & End year Evaluations (2 months, 13 visits each

month)

x x x x x x x

x x x x xx

x x x

x

x x x

x x

x x

x x

x

Oxlajuj B’atz’

Casa Kaqchikel, Calle 14 de Febrero,

Panajachel, Sololá, Guatemala

Tel/Fax: 7762-6245

Website: www.oxlajujbatz.org.gt

EXPENSE REPORT

Fecha de ingreso de la subvención Enero 2,014

1. Overall Summary

RESUMEN GENERAL

Dólares

Subvención total aprobada $

15,000.00

Informe presentado $

9,304.22

Saldo $

5,695.78

2. Ratio of funds transferred

Relación de fondos transferidos

Date Currency amount

equivalent Amount received

in Q. Exchange rate

Fecha Monto equivalente divisa $

Monto recibido en

Q. Tipo de cambio

01-01-14 $ 15,000.00 0.000

01-01-14 $ 9,304.04 Q 71,361.99 7.670

Total

Q 71,361.99 7.670

3. Comparison between planned expenditures and executed

Comparación entre gastos previstos y ejecutados

Concept Provided Executed

Accumulated executed

Deviation

Concepto Previsto

(dólares)

Ejecutado

(dólares)

Ejecutado acumulado (dólares) Desviación

1. Gastos de Personal $ 1,677.00 $ 1,853.14 $ 1,853.14 $ -176.14

2. Democracia y Desarrollo de Grupos

$ 10,256.00 $ 5,840.15 $ 7,693.29 $ 4,415.85

3. Artesanía y Desarrollo de Productos

$ 1,862.00 $ 15.51 $ 7,708.81 $ 1,846.49

4. Centro de Mujeres y Tienda $ 1,205.00 $ 1,595.42 $ 9,304.22 $ -390.42

Total $ 15,000.00 $

9,304.22 $

9,304.22 $ 5,695.78

PHOTO DOSSIER. See document link http://www.slideshare.net/Oxlajuj/photo-journal-2014