Tz’ikin Jaay, meaning “House of Birds” in the Maya language Tzu’tujil, was founded in 1990 to support the widows of the 36-year civil war in Guatemala. Tragedy struck in 2005 when the community, Panabaj, was destroyed by Hurricane Stan. Today, 18 women continue to work with backstrap and foot looms to support their families and provide a better future for their children. Throughout the year the women attend workshops to learn more about marketing, quality control, and community development. In conjunction with Mayan Hands and Sharing the Dream, many of the artisans’ children receive scholarships to attend school. This is also the community where Sharing the Dream has its Elder Center and has provided land for two different schools.