| Bench Project |
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The ergonomic bench enables women artisans to protect their health while producing more textiles of better quality.
As a result, they increase their ability to provide for their families, and also preserve their weaving culture.
As a result, they increase their ability to provide for their families, and also preserve their weaving culture.
This project helps local people make and use the bench
For the weavers we offer a train-the-trainer program. It prepares women to
educate other weavers in their communities. They learn how to get the most
benefit from the bench and how to use it safely. We also offer knowledge
and skill building for these artisans to apply ergonomics to their lives
beyond the weaving bench.
educate other weavers in their communities. They learn how to get the most
benefit from the bench and how to use it safely. We also offer knowledge
and skill building for these artisans to apply ergonomics to their lives
beyond the weaving bench.
We developed a start-up kit and tech support that enhance carpenters' skills
and help ensure that the ergonomic features of the bench are preserved.
By making benches, local carpenters can increase their livelihood and gain
satisfaction from helping their own people.
and help ensure that the ergonomic features of the bench are preserved.
By making benches, local carpenters can increase their livelihood and gain
satisfaction from helping their own people.
Get involved! Contact us to learn how.
For more information:
| Synergo Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Copyright © 2010 Synergo Arts. All rights reserved. |
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Through collaborations Synergo Arts seeks to help local communities build
their own infrastructure for fabrication, distribution, promotion, training and
micro-finance, so that they are not dependent on outside support.
their own infrastructure for fabrication, distribution, promotion, training and
micro-finance, so that they are not dependent on outside support.
GUATEMALA: Lake Atitlan region
Participating carpenters make the
benches independently under their
own brand, and set their own prices.
benches independently under their
own brand, and set their own prices.
Read the articles posted on our recent publications page
Visit our FAQ page
Mario Chavajay Navichoc makes
the bench at his family's shop,
Carpinería San Pedro.
the bench at his family's shop,
Carpinería San Pedro.
If you speak Spanish or Tzutujil
you can contact Mario directly by
phone at 5623 2145. It's best
to call around 1:30PM local time.
you can contact Mario directly by
phone at 5623 2145. It's best
to call around 1:30PM local time.
| This silent video runs with Windows Media Player |
Watch this demo video, featuring weaving demonstrations by
Juana Ramos, Maya training collaborator in Guatemala:
Juana Ramos, Maya training collaborator in Guatemala:
As they become established, we will
post their contact information here:
post their contact information here:
"Ergonomics has brought me great personal benefits, both
physical and mental. I’m very interested in being able to
continue helping other women in the world reduce the
fatigue and pain that their bodies endure while weaving.
Then they will be better able to appreciate their own efforts,
talent, and skills as they carry on their craft." (translated)
physical and mental. I’m very interested in being able to
continue helping other women in the world reduce the
fatigue and pain that their bodies endure while weaving.
Then they will be better able to appreciate their own efforts,
talent, and skills as they carry on their craft." (translated)
“Para mi la ergonomía
me ha servido mucho,
físico y mentalmente.
Tengo mucho interés
en poder ayudar a más
mujeres en el mundo
me ha servido mucho,
físico y mentalmente.
Tengo mucho interés
en poder ayudar a más
mujeres en el mundo
| Bench Project Heros |
Alex McConnell and Barbara Ancheta
have done a wonderful job of helping
Mario get started making benches!
have done a wonderful job of helping
Mario get started making benches!
If you need to communicate in
English you can use email to
relay messages to Mario
through his friend and
colleague Barbara Ancheta, at
barbara.atlin@gmail.com.
English you can use email to
relay messages to Mario
through his friend and
colleague Barbara Ancheta, at
barbara.atlin@gmail.com.
| "I’m grateful to have this new work in my shop, and I’m happy to make something that helps the women." |
para reducir el cansancio y el dolor de su cuerpo al
tejer, y para que ellas puedan valorar el trabajo y
esfuerzo que realizan cuando hacen su tejido.”
-Juana Ramos
tejer, y para que ellas puedan valorar el trabajo y
esfuerzo que realizan cuando hacen su tejido.”
-Juana Ramos
| Photo credit: Barbara Ancheta |
GUATEMALA: Quetsaltenango region
Coming soon!
In June 2010 carpenters and
weavers in Cajolá (just NW of
Xela) began gearing up to make
and sell the bench. Please
check back for updates!
weavers in Cajolá (just NW of
Xela) began gearing up to make
and sell the bench. Please
check back for updates!