Mission and Vision

Our Mission

Trama Textiles advances economic empowerment, educational opportunity, and cultural preservation for Indigenous Mayan women in Guatemala. We generate sustainable livelihoods through fair-trade sales of backstrap-woven textiles, ensuring artisans receive dignified compensation for their craftsmanship.

Our community-centered model welcomes researchers, interns, volunteers, and global partners as collaborators in long-term development. Through ethical retail channels and strategic wholesale alliances, we expand market access that secures ongoing work for our weavers and strengthens the social fabric of their families and communities. Our commitment is to cultivate intergenerational impact—empowering today’s artisans while opening brighter, more equitable opportunities for their children.

Our Vision

We aim to see Indigenous Maya women succeed in every sense, creating a world where their families are educated, their craftsmanship is valued, and their traditions are preserved.

Through slow fashion and fair trade, we want to ensure their weaving skills continue to inspire and empower future generations. We believe in a future where sustainable fashion celebrates culture, supports communities, and creates lasting impact.

Our goal is to build a global community that honors the art of backstrap weaving while promoting social and environmental responsibility, alongside the preservation of Mayan tradition.

Our Core Values 

From our mission and vision to our day-to-day operations, our core values guide everything we do here at Trama Textiles.  

1. Empowerment

   We believe in women’s autonomy through dignified, paid work and leadership roles within their communities.

2. Cultural Pride

   We honor indigenous knowledge and craftsmanship, ensuring the stories and symbols in every weave continue to live on.

3. Solidarity

   We work as a family:  Program Coordinator, volunteers, weavers, and supporters connected through shared purpose and mutual respect.

4. Respect for the Earth

   We promote sustainability through handmade, low-impact processes and conscious consumption.

5. Connection

   We create meaningful experiences; whether in our store, weaving school, or online that foster global understanding.

   
   

   Our Commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals

   

   We don’t just weave textiles—we weave change.

   At Trama Textiles, our work is deeply aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As a collective of indigenous women artisans and global collaborators, we aim to create social impact through ethical fashion, education, and cultural preservation.

   Below are the key SDGs that guide our daily efforts and long-term vision

   Key SDGs We Align With:

    

    

   SDG	Goal Title	How It Relates to Our Work
   1	No Poverty	We provide fair income opportunities for indigenous women, supporting entire families.
   4	Quality Education	Through our weaving school and cultural workshops, we promote skill-sharing and empowerment.
   5	Gender Equality	Trama is women-led and women-centered—empowering Mayan women through economic independence.
   8	Decent Work and Economic Growth	We promote fair trade and dignified livelihoods through ethical and sustainable practices.
   10	Reduced Inequalities	We work directly with rural, non-Spanish-speaking communities, providing access to markets.
   12	Responsible Consumption and Production	We advocate for slow fashion, handmade production, and environmental responsibility.
   17	Partnerships for the Goals	We collaborate with volunteers, NGOs, designers, and academic institutions across the globe.

    

   How We Turn Goals into Action

    

    

   To translate these goals into meaningful impact, we focus on four strategic pillars:

   1. Empowering Indigenous Women Economically and Socially

   Aligned with SDGs 1, 5, and 10
   We ensure fair wages, leadership roles, and economic inclusion for women in weaving cooperatives.

   2. Cultural Education and Textile Preservation

   Aligned with SDG 4
   Our weaving school teaches traditional Mayan techniques to locals and international learners.

   3. Ethical Fashion and Sustainable Production

   Aligned with SDGs 8 and 12
   We produce consciously, respecting natural rhythms, ancestral methods, and fair labor.

   4. Building a Global Network of Solidarity

   Aligned with SDG 17
   Our team includes on-site and remote volunteers and partners from Europe and the U.S. and Australia, creating bridges of collaboration.

   Every thread we weave supports not just a garment, but a global movement for dignity, culture, and sustainability.