Trama’s ‘Sponsor a Weaver's Child’ Project was created to help the children of our cooperative learn, grow and excel.

The communities that make up our cooperative face extremely difficult conditions when it comes to education for their children.

In Guatemala, while primary school (Grades 1-6) is free and mandatory, Basico and Diversificado (roughly the equivalent of middle and high school) cost not only an inscription fee, but also a monthly charge.

For one child to attend Basico it costs around Q2500 (Q500 inscription fee and Q200 monthly fee for the 10 month school year). At current exchange rates, this is the equivalent of $335 per year.

That means for one child to complete the 3 years of Basico it will cost at a minimum $1,005, and all 6 years of middle school and high school cost $2,010. That doesn't even cover the additional costs of general supplies, transportation to and from school, and books that all children at every age need.

Needless to say it is quite expensive, especially for families living in rural, lower income areas of Guatemala where the minimum wage, which many don't make, is around $12 a day (Q90).

Each of the 17 communities that make up the Trama Textiles Cooperative have an average of 15-20 children, of which many will be at the basico (middle school) level age this coming year.

‘Sponsor a Weaver's Child’ provides scholarships for Trama weaver's children to complete at least middle and high school. The sponsorship won’t be covering the total tuition fee, instead, it will be a contribution to the student’s family so that it helps pay for the tuition or any other school related expenses.

 

Our goal is for all Trama children to complete at least Middle and High School.

 

 

HOW DOES IT WORK

Each sponsored student will be receiving Q150 (20USD) per month , which means 200USD annually (school year is from January to October - 10 months). 

The total amount to cover Middle and High school is 1200 USD. This considers 200USD annually, in 3 years of Middle school and 3 years of High school.

The sponsored students are selected and prioritized according to the family' socio-economic assessment. 

In order to keep receiving the monthly funds, the student must provide a monthly grades report and keep a minimum performance.

 

HOW CAN YOU HELP

• Collective Sponsorships
  
• You can make a donation of any amount to the Education Fund here.
• You can become a monthly donor, of the amount you prefer. Just select that option when donating to the Education Fund here.

 

• Direct Sponsorship

• Get your school involved

Thank you for supporting the Trama students!

 

 

Students from San Juan Cotzal