She called it Tejiendo Futuros (Weaving Futures) under the precept that “each person that joins the organization is a thread that contributes to the creation of a social weaving”. The objective of these weavings, in principle, were completely focused on the creation of a holistic educational program for the children of Panajachel. That is where The Tree of Childhood was born. Today it includes 76 children between the ages of 4 and 15.

A few months later the necessity to create an environmental program came up. Kaulew means “our land” in Kaqchiquel. Our land, just like our children, need precise care and attention. That same care and attention is transformed into opportunities to grow food without chemicals that become nutrition for a better physical and mental development. The food that Kaulew produces nowadays is given directly to the families in the organization.

In 2020 COVID-19 attacked all corners of the world obligating men, women, and children to be in lockdown. The community members of Weaving Futures were directly affected. Most mothers and fathers lost their jobs. This made their economic and psychosocial conditions more vulnerable. The families that were already living in poverty, were forced into extreme poverty; and those who were already living in extreme poverty, could barely maintain a roof over their heads. The collective stress made domestic violence much worse. Within the organization a considerable number of families were identified where most women were suffering some sort of violence from their partners.

These problems were made clear, and Strengthened Families was born, the youngest program of the organization. The strengthening of parents is also important as they are the ones bringing up and continuing the processes with their children. Strengthened Families covers themes such as self-esteem, self-care, hygiene, negligence, creativity, and recreation with the most important allies on the path to an integral development of childhood and adolescence, their mothers and fathers.

Presently we are working with 51 mothers and 15 fathers in various activities. Individual psychological attention is also offered, together with workshops on psychoeducation. The precepts of the program center on inclusion, teamwork and in having a space free of judgement, where all voices are heard with sincerity.