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.

Gray Bag with Embroidery

$44.00

This purse has a zipper closure on the top of the bag and 3 additional pockets on the interior of the purse, one of which also includes a zipper. The size of this bag is approximately 12 inches wide, 9.25 inches long, and 2.75 inches deep.

This item is made by Ruth & Nohemi, a program of the Methodist Church in Guatemala. Your purchase helps those who make this as they are able to support their families and work to improve their lives. ​

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Cosmetic Bag (More Colors)

$16.00 $12.00

This cosmetic bag is made with cotton fabric and has zipper closures. Front pocket is made with a striped fabric. With a slick inside, it is easy to clean and is spacious enough for the essentials. It measures approximately 8" by 4-1/2" by 1-1/2". 

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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Elephant Backpack -- Multicolored

$25.00

This large elephant backpack is perfect for a preschool student. Sturdy, all-cotton fabric in a multi-colored print or red with narrow stripes. 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.

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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Wide-Strap Bag

$28.00 $20.00

This is a nice large bag, measuring 13 by 17 inches. It has a zippered closure and a zippered pocket in the front with a beautiful back strapwoven piece of fabric highlighting the pocket. There are two small velcro pockets on each side of the bag. The strap is 9 inches wide and 40 inches long. It is a great cross the shoulder bag. Patterns 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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Turtle Backpack

$22.00

These turtle backpacks are perfect for a toddler or preschool student. Made from sturdy, all-cotton fabric in rainbow stripes, this backpack has a zippered opening to a fully lined interior. Features a hanging loop and adjustable black nylon straps. Size: approximately 9" wide and 9" tall. Interior expands to approx. 3.5" in width.

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

$25.00

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 size: approximately 8" wide and 8" tall. Interior expands to approx. 4" in width.

Large size: approximately 9" wide and 11" tall. Interior expands to approx. 6" in width.

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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Bunny Backpack

$25.00

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.

Small size (rainbow stripes): approximately 8" wide and 8" tall. Interior expands to approx. 4" in width.

Large size (multicolored): approximately 9" wide and 11" tall. Interior expands to approx. 6" in width.

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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