Elsa Hernandez, Seamstress

UPAVIM, or United for a Better Life (Unidos Para UPAVIM is a non-profit women’s cooperative in Guatemala City dedicated to empowering women and giving them opportunities to improve their quality of life. UPAVIM, United for a Better Life (Unidos Para Una Vida Mejor), is a group of over 60 women who live in marginalized communities on the outskirts of Guatemala City. Many of the women are the sole income earners in their families; some are widows or abandoned by their husbands. In spite of a variety of social problems in the area (gang violence, illiteracy, drug abuse, unemployment, malnutrition, alcoholism), the women of UPAVIM are making a difference in their lives and the lives of their families and community by generating employment, addressing health care needs, and providing educational services for adults and children.

UPAVIM started in 1989, by selling handcrafts to support a pre-natal education program for young mothers. Today UPAVIM exports fair trade crafts around the world and the proceeds help fund low cost day care, a primary school with Montessori trained teachers, a medical and dental clinic, a laboratory and pre- and post-natal services. These programs provide services to thousands of people in La Esperanza and other neighboring communities.

To the women of UPAVIM, fair trade means fair wages, work with dignity, and community development. SERRV has been supporting the work of UPAVIM through the purchase of their crafts since 1991.