GUATAMALAN BROCADE WEAVER SURVEY 2025
In 2025, A RUM FELLOW conducted an impact survey with the Maya women who have been hand-weaving our brocade fabrics in Guatemala for over a decade.
Our aim was simple
To listen directly to these extraordinarily skilled artisans and understand how our partnership supports their lives, their families, and their communities.
OUR survey explored three main areas:
The economic dimension, including financial stability, income, and lifestyle improvements; the social and cultural dimension, such as confidence, self-esteem, community standing, and skill development; and domestic life, examining how weaving supports and enhances life at home.
INCOME INCREASE % SINCE WORKING WITH A RUM FELLOW
“I bought land, the land is for agriculture activities, we grow apples and plum, this is sold to the local market”
“We Can now fulfill our basic necessities, for which I am grateful. It has helped me personally in my education, to climb professionally, and to dream of a better future”
“SINCE WORKING WITH A OF THIS COLLABORATION. RUM FELLOW, now I am A RESPECTED part of the community authorities, where I attend meetings where we work on LOCAL improvements”
“the pay is three times more than what I used to earn weaving for the local market. AS A SINGLE MOTHER I can manage my schedule AND take care of my children by working from home”
“Before my job with A RUM FELLOW only my husband made decisions, but now we share the decisions because I contribute economically”
EXPENDITURE TYPES BASED ON INCREASED INCOME
A Rum Fellow is founded on the principles of Design, Quality, and Integrity.
Integrity, for us, means supporting the artisans we work with in a way that values their skills, culture, and independence.
By sharing these textiles with a global interiors audience, A RUM FELLOW helps sustain this ancient craft while celebrating the skill and artistry of the women who make it.
Through our partnership with Maya weaving groups, women earn a fair income from home while caring for their families. For many, weaving is both a treasured cultural tradition and a pathway to independence.
OUR survey reveals stories of pride, resilience, and hope—testaments to the enduring impact of this collaboration.