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.

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.   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.

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.