Our Organisation
Organizational Structure
Trama Textiles is a 100% worker owned co-operative. This ensures our weavers are the heart of our organization as they collectively control the association and its operations. Each woman in the cooperative has an equal say in major decisions and the election of a board of weavers.
Over the years we have teamed up with a variety of organizations and businesses internationally, so we wanted to dedicate a space to showcase our features and collaborations. Below you can find a collection of our highlights. We hope this page can help provide greater insight into Trama Textiles.
Still Standing
Featured by Business Insider in 2021.
"Indigenous Maya women in Guatemala have passed down the tradition of weaving for over 2,000 years. But when a 36-year-long civil war in the late 20th century threatened Maya culture, wearing traditional clothing became dangerous. In the 15 years following the war, groups of women have banded together to sustain themselves and their families through weaving. We visited a group in San Juan La Laguna to see how it is fighting to keep the craft alive."
Our Board of Weavers
Our board of weavers are elected representatives from different regions who meet regularly to discuss co-operative affairs and make operational decisions.
Our current board of weavers is below.
President: Amparo de León de Rubio
Vice President: Oralia Chopen
Secretary: Lidia Sicay
Treasurer: Maria Luisa Chavez
1st Member: Isabel Guarchaj
2nd Member: Socorro Sicay
3rd Member: Julia Díaz
Every three months, weavers gather in Xela to review progress and discuss improvements. Every three years, the cooperative hosts an assembly where women vote on leadership and update governance policies.
Not-For-Profit
Trama Textiles is a not-for-profit co-operative, meaning our primary purpose to provide benefits to our members, their families, and wider communities, rather than to generate profits. Any profits generated are either reinvested into the co-operative, allocated to other community projects such as the Almaya Fund, or distributed amongst our members.
Transparency and Impact
At Trama Textiles we are fully committed to being open about our operations, finances and impact. We believe that when you support our work, you deserve to know exactly how your contribution makes a difference. As part of our commitment to transparency we:
- Publish Annual Reports: These reports provide details of our operations from the previous year, including the challenges we have faced and how we plan to address these challenges going forward.
- Keep Administrative Overhead Low: We keep administrative costs minimal to ensure the majority of every purchase and donation goes directly to the people and programs that need it most.
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Impact You Can See: Our impact can be broken down into three categories: economic impact, cultural impact, and environmental impact. We share stories, data, and results to share with you these impacts and so you can see exactly what your support is making possible.
Our leaders
Oralia Chopen, Amparo de León, and María Aguja are the leaders who proudly represent our weavers. Their experience has taken the art of Maya weaving beyond our communities, positioning Trama Textiles on an international stage.
Amparo de León and Oralia Chopen
Our coordinator connects with you, our clients, as well as with the weavers and their representatives. She manages the online store and coordinates volunteers, always seeking long-term solutions to ensure the association grows sustainably and that the Maya tradition continues to thrive, providing opportunities for our women.
At Trama Textiles, the leadership of Oralia, Amparo, and our coordinator embody the strength and wisdom of our communities. Through their experience working with foreigners and traveling abroad, they have given voice and visibility to our weavers, building relationships based on respect and fair trade. Meanwhile, our coordinator drives daily management and long-term vision, ensuring each textile retains its essence and supports the association’s sustainability. Together, we build a future that honors our culture and dignifies the artisanal work of our women.