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.

Elephant Backpack

$26.00

This large elephant backpack is perfect for a preschool student. Sturdy, all-cotton fabric in a multi-colored prints . Zippered opening to a fully lined interior. Features a hanging loop and adjustable black nylon straps. ​Size: approximately 9" wide and 11" tall. Interior expands to approx. 6" in width. Patterns and colors may vary. `

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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Turtle Backpack

$26.00

These turtle backpacks are perfect for a toddler or preschool student. Made from sturdy, all-cotton fabric patches in multicolored stripes, this backpack has a zippered opening to a fully lined interior. Features a hanging loop and adjustable black nylon straps. Size: approximately 12" wide and 12" tall. Patterns and colors may vary.

This fair trade Guatemalan bag is handmade by the artisan group Ruth and Noami. Ruth and Noami was founded in 1986 after the bombings in the community of Chontala, near Chichicastenango by a Methodist pastor and tailor. By using the weavings 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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Monkey Backpack

$20.00 - $26.00

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These monkey backpacks are perfect for a toddler or preschool student. Sturdy, all-cotton fabric in rainbow stripes. Zippered opening to a fully lined interior. Features a hanging loop and adjustable black nylon straps. Small backpack measures approximately 7" wide and 13" tall. Large backpack measures approximately 9.5"wide and 16" tall.

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 weavings 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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Bunny Backpack

$26.00

These bunny backpacks are perfect for a toddler or preschool student. Sturdy, all-cotton fabric in rainbow stripes. Zippered opening to a fully lined interior. Features a hanging loop and adjustable black nylon straps. Colors and patterns may vary.

Backpack measures approximately9.5" wide by 16" tall.

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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