Mari as a little girl in Guatemala

 

Hi there, visitor!  I'm Mari, and here's the story about how I started Kakaw Designs back in 2013. Some things have changed since then, but our mission remains the same. We are still learning every step of the way, and adapting to the changing world.

A little about me:

I grew up in many different places, but really my life began here in Guatemala, where I was born. After twenty-something years, I came back to the place that has always been a home.

Growing up with my mother, a textile artist, appreciation for the handmade and especially the handwoven world was always part of my life, and a passion. After college, I became a nomad and started to look for a place in the world for myself - I lived in four different Latin American countries, and along the way became a Scuba Dive Master, an English Teacher, an Organic Farmer, a Montessori Teacher, and even randomly an Underwear Model (shhhh, don't tell anyone).  

But I didn't find what I was looking for, neither the location nor the job. During this time, I worked mostly with non-profit organizations in indigenous areas, and personally struggled with this models of "giving" and "doing good."

Guatemala hosts hundreds of NGOs, most of them funded in the US, and while many of them directly affect very needy populations in important ways, I began to wonder if these groups' involvement in the country could be contributing to a general culture of waiting for help rather than seeking meaningful, longer-lasting change from within the country.

 

  

I went back to school for my master's in Sustainable Development, hosted between University of Graz (Austria) and University of Utrecht (Netherlands), in 2017. I defended my thesis just in time for the pandemic, which meant that I could easily refocus my energies and pivot the business as necessary in 2020. That ended up being key, as we've been able to shift and grow to include what has since become our priority: Experiences. Through our travel and workshop offerings, we have been able to work with our artisan partners in a different way - one that supports creativity and encourages shared moments and building relationships based on respect.

Kakaw Designs has been up and running since 2013, and it has been a learning experience for me every step of the way. I love working with artists and I love that we are raising awareness and appreciation for handwovens and more. Don't be fooled: this is not a "do-good" charity project. We create beautiful things ethically and honor the master makers who share their processes with us. We hope that you like what you see, and we hope you'll join us to experience the joy of crafting together in Guatemala.

XOXO,

Mari