By Paco Alcaide | Regional Director
In 2019, we completed a five-year Women’s Leadership program funded by our long-time friends, BFB Foundation. Five of our Guatemala libraries have been participating in the program, each with women’s groups receiving training in leadership skills and entrepreneurship. On Tuesday, December 2, a delegation of seven from BFB Foundation met with the Riecken team and representatives of the Riecken Community Libraries that participated in the Women’s Leadership program. Women from those five communities told their stories to our guests, that included Chris Burns-Fazzi, Founder of BFB Foundation. BFB guests visited individual market stands set up by each participating community, showcasing the business initiatives undertaken in their projects.
With the end of the Women’s Leadership Program, BFB Foundation’s role with the libraries will be changing, and we discussed the sustainability of the project after this year. As Riecken continues to support women’s leadership development, financial literacy and small business training through the libraries, a new Women’s Group Credit Union has become the focus for these women as a next step. We will miss our working relationship with BFB Foundation, and hope that other program opportunities present themselves for which we may partner in other directions.
A benefited women by that project said:
“I do embroidery with thread, ribbon and wool, and I am in charge of delivering this product to a merchant within the municipal market; During this year, through the support we received, I was able to improve the quality of the product I deliver and extend my skill and knowledge. Approximately I receive earnings $34 a week and this helps to improve the economy in my home since my family is poor. My purpose for the following year is to put a place where my product is sold directly and to train more women so that together we can embroider and generate income and support the library”
This women’s empowerment program is being supported by all “Glogbalgivinners” and BFB Foundation.
The Riecken Guatemala Foundation empowers girls and women through its network of community libraries.
In Guatemala, 90 women have implemented a pilot of Mujeres, manos a la obra. A small step to learn how savings could support the sustainability of their entrepreneurial efforts.
Learn more about the work of the Riecken Foundation and its network of community libraries in Guatemala.
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