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Los Cuchareros de San
Lucas Toliman
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In 2003, Los Cuchareros de San Lucas Tolimán (SLT) began as a micro-economic project which now includes nine members in the group. San Lucas Tolimán is located on the shore of Lake Atitlan in the Guatemalan Highlands. The Lake Atitlan region is one of the prime coffee growing spots in the world and a known entity among coffee aficionados. In fact, the woods we spoonmakers use are coffee, and gravilea, which is the shade tree that is planted near coffee trees. |
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In order to work legally in our country, we declare all our sales and in such, we pay taxes on our products. And in order to avoid problems with environmental institutions, we have acquired the appropriate licensing to work with the wood. We use primarily soft woods, which include coffee, gravilea, and tasisco, among others. We gather to work on the group’s administration, divide tasks, and review our work. In this manner, we help one another improve techniques, develop designs and esthetics, and maintain a high standard of quality in our products. Each week, we gather to work on the group’s administration, divide tasks, and review our work. In this manner, we help one another improve techniques, develop designs and esthetics, and maintain a high standard of quality in our products. |
Those of us who work with wood are also the same people that work with the land. Spoonmaking is mostly done as a side project to help subsidize some of the shortcomings of farming. Also, many of us are studying, and the spoons serve as a way to support this endeavor through this time. The project serves as a way to provide income to local families and an opportunity to develop the skills necessary for managing a business or cooperative. |
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Aid to the Elderly
As a group, Los Cuchareros de San Lucas Tolimán have been continuously supporting social programs that serve the elderly in our community, particularly those without others to care for them or those without a place to live. Initially we began by buying necessary supplies (food and medicines) and donating them. Now, we contribute through monetary donations. For every spoon sold, a certain percentage is allocated to the social programs. In addition, many of us actively participate in finding those who are most in need and taking some responsibility in caring for them
If you would like to find out more information or order spoons from San Lucas Toliman, please write to Julio at juliochumil@yahoo.com
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