A group of Indigenous Mayan women and girls, part of the Council of Weavers of San Pedro La Laguna, Guatemala, unfortunately, no longer have the space to practice waist weaving, a traditional textile art that involves weaving with a portable backstrap loom that's tied around the weaver's waist, which is their primary source of income.

The weaver's entire body is engaged in the weaving process, and girls as young as five learn by playing on a toy loom and spinning yarn scraps. The designs often reflect the topography of the surrounding landscape and can convey a personal or cultural message.

Thankfully, land has now been provided to create a new textile gallery.

The purpose of this fundraiser is to help support the construction of the gallery, which will be open to the public so finished products can be displayed for sale. The new textile gallery will serve as a cultural center for the community and a place of learning for the younger generations where tourists interested in traditional Mayan practices can witness firsthand how the beautiful textiles are made and thereby support the community and make a direct impact on the lives of local families.