Photo Gallery

One micro merchant displays her textile designs, made primarily by hand and by women in the nearby neighborhood.

 

Much microenterprise in agricultural-based Guatemala is produce related. The traditional central market provides the retail visibility for sellers to offer home-grown fruits and vegetables.

 

Much of the Central American textile industry is dependent upon "appropriate technology" that is foot-powered sewing machines. This microenterprise produces burlap bags for the tourism-based coffee market.

 

Consul General Sue Patterson conducted a seminar for the UIW group to explain her NGO's work with families in Guatemala. Named WINGS, its focus is upon family health and well-being.

She has been a career foreign service officer during her work career with the U.S. State Department, and has been assigned to Consulates and U.S. Embassies around the world.

 

UIW participants ask questions to NGO director about how loans to
microenterprises are processed, managed, and repaid during a backyard
seminar of a microenterprise owner.

 

The research team spent time at a local experimental macadamia farm owned by a California ex-patriot. The owner provides macadamia saplings free-of-charge to local families for protein diet supplement. This UIW student held macadamias for the group to examine.

 

One woman has developed her own brand of lip balm based upon a macadamia oil base. Support for her work has come directly from a nearby experimental macadamia farm.