The Cuchareros (Spoonmakers) began in 2000 with an idea from a Concern America team member to create a way to support the health promoters who were studying and working with Concern America's Health Project in the Petén region. The hope was to create a solution for some of the many expenses while they were dedicating more of their time to the project, which was always a service to the community.
The Concern America volunteer began making spoons as a hobby. He orientated us with the work and the use of the tools and gave us several different designs and techniques for working with the wood. As time progressed, there were more demands for our spoons and we began to develop better skills in the craft and in strengthening our project.
In 2003, the same Concern America volunteer began to teach the work to a group of young individuals by the shores of Lake Atitlan, in San Lucas Toliman. Little by little, the project grew as group enjoyed this new craft. The SLT group has many similarities to that in Petén, however, the group is not tied to any health promoter project, nor is it a formal cooperative. But as a group, it works collectively in completing orders, making decisions, and donating to community social programs. |
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In addition, we have benefited from the technical assistance and financial support from the Catholic Parishes in Petén and San Lucas Tolimán and from Concern America. Their support has helped with our meetings, to do evaluations of our group, and with sales of our products. They have helped us maintain a relationship between |
the two groups of Spoonmakers, those from Petén and those from San Lucas Tolimán, which are on opposite sides of the country. We often work together in the selling and sending of our products, but more importantly we also to exchange designs and ideas regarding the administration of our groups. |
And, of course, the project would not be functional without the support of our buyers. We are greatly appreciative of all of those who have contributed to our project through purchasing our spoons, donations, and telling others about our project. We hope that our customers are satisfied with the products they purchase from us and understand the difference they are making. |
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Los Cuchareros de Petén
Our group initially started out with only four members who were seeking a way to support themselves as they studied to be health promoters. Now, the Cuchareros de Petén has grown into a cooperative of 11 families. All of our members come from various communities spread across the Petén. This department is the largest and northernmost of Guatemala and is home to vast tropical lowlands and countless Mayan ruins, including Tikal. |
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There are many natural resources; however they are not available to the majority of the people, and, in many cases, are being destroyed through acts like deforestation. While it is still the least populated department, its population has greatly increased in the last thirty years. Many communities formed during and after the civil war as people migrated to escape the violence or returned from living in refugee camps in Mexico.
Because we are spread out across the region, we meet once a month to review our products, fill orders, and work on the administration of our project. As a cooperative, we work for the common good of the families involved. |
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We are certified and follow the statutes and rules that are legally written here in Guatemala. All major decisions are discussed amongst the group and our methods are established so that all participate. For example, when we turn in our spoons, each piece is inspected and evaluated by two members who were elected at random. Products are reviewed for the high quality that is expected amongst the group. This constructive criticism allows us to improve the quality and design of our products.
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Most of the Cuchareros are also health promoters, some working with the Parish of San Benito Health Project and others with the Maya Petén Health Project as Environmental Health promoters. As a group, we also financially support community health projects in San Benito with a percentage from the profits of our spoons.
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