Ruth and Naomi, named after two widows from the Bible, began in 1986 following the bombing of their community, Chontalá, near Chichicastenango. In order to generate income for the widows of the Civil War, Diego Chicoj, a Methodist pastor and tailor, decided to create a market for the women’s weavings. First, he worked with the women to create an array of products using their talent and then he taught their sons how to sew the final products. After he found scholarships, he provided the boys with a place to stay in Chichi and a place where they could finish high school in the evenings. Over the years the women received improvements to their homes and were able to send their children to school with their increased income. Today, Ruth and Naomi contribute to various artisan groups and have nine young men who sew all of their products.

Sharing the Dream has worked with Ruth and Naomi for many years and has contributed to many projects including: a showroom for their products, a children’s nutritional center, a chicken and stove project, and school scholarships.

Harp Bag in Tan and Sage Green

$45.00

This Harp Bag is an updated version of one of our best-selling bags! Made using fabric woven on the traditional backstrap loom, this harp-shaped wears like a sling-back backpack. The fabric strap is adjustable and comfortable to wear. The front of the bag one velcro pocket. The main compartment is zippered and lined and has one large pocket and two zippered pockets inside. It also features a phone holder on the side of the bag.

Bag measurements: Approximately 18" long and 12" wide at the widest point and 7" wide at the narrowest point.

This fair trade purse was a collaboration between two artisan groups, La Estrella and Ruth and Nohemi. La Estrella is a group of eight Kaqchiquel Mayan weavers from the rural community of ChuaCruz, Guatemala. The artisan group was formed in the early 1980's in order to support the widows who lost their husbands during the Civil War. They work on backstrap & foot looms.

Ruth and Nohemi was founded in 1986 after the bombings in the community of Chontala, near Chichicastenango by a Methodist pastor and tailor. By using the weavingfrom the war widows and by teaching their sons to sew, the whole family benefited. The boys received scholarships to attend school, and the widows received improvements to their homes and were able to send their children to school with their increased income. This group supports several artisan groups and community projects with the profits from the sale of their products.  

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Children of The World Bag

$36.00

One of our best-selling bags is now in a different, bigger style! This is our largest bag yet! The Children of the World Tote Bag is the perfect bag to carry everything you need for work or school! The tote bag has two velcro closures and a lined interior. The sides fold in for an accordion style and expand to allow for lots of carrying space. The bag has the children of the world embroidery on the front and multicolored Guatemalan fabric on the back.

This bag measures approximately 17.5" tall, 15.5" wide and opens to 20".

This fair trade Guatemalan bag is handmade by the artisan group Ruth and Nohemi. Ruth and Nohemi was founded in 1986 after the bombings in the community of Chontala, near Chichicastenango by a Methodist pastor and tailor. By using the weaving from the war widows and by teaching their sons to sew, the whole family benefited. The boys received scholarships to attend school, and the widows received improvements to their homes and were able to send their children to school with their increased income. This group supports several artisan groups and community projects with the profits from the sale of their products.  

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Barbara Bag in 3 sizes - Restocked!

$36.00 - $48.00

You're favorite purse in three different size options. Never dig in the bottom of your purse again, because this bag has a pocket for everything! It's perfect for traveling, because it's lightweight but durable.

This classic Barbara Bag is made with a dark denim blue fabric and accented by Guatemalan fabric from the Chichicastenango region. It has an expandable compartment on the back, a zippered pocket on the inside, and 3 zippered pockets on the outside. The zipper to the main compartment is hidden by a velcro flap. Strap is adjustable. Patterns may vary.

Small Barbara Bag measures approximately 6" wide, 8" high, and 2" in depth.

Medium Barbara Bag measure approximately 8" wide, 10" high, and 2.5" in depth.

Large Barbara Bag measure approximately 10" wide, 12" high, and 2.5" in depth.

This fair trade Guatemalan bag is handmade by the artisan group Ruth and Nohemi. Ruth and Nohemi was founded in 1986 after the bombings in the community of Chontala, near Chichicastenango by a Methodist pastor and tailor. By using the weavingfrom the war widows and by teaching their sons to sew, the whole family benefited. The boys received scholarships to attend school, and the widows received improvements to their homes and were able to send their children to school with their increased income. This group supports several artisan groups and community projects with the profits from the sale of their products.  

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