The Artisan's Legacy: Lionza's Remarkable Journey of Empowerment, Community Impact, and Generational Transformation
Lionza, 56, is a widow and an exceptionally talented artisan creating beautifully detailed woven traditional Guatemalan blouses. And her story is not only about the difference the VisionFund loan made in her life, but how it has also benefited families and built economic stability in her community.
Living high in the mountains in a rural part of Guatemala, there aren’t many employment opportunities, so when she hires local women, Lionza is building up the economic foundation of her community. One woman who Lionza hired developed into such a good weaver that she started her own business and now also employs women whose families benefit from additional income. And another woman she hired had seven children but didn’t have any food – after working with Lionza, she has since moved out of poverty because of the steady income she received.
The initial benefit that Lionza received from her loan has now spread to benefit other families in her community –it is truly a story of community transformation from one loan!
Her work is so exceptional that she has a buyer who sends her very complicated designs that she figures out how to weave and then creates the blouses. To support the high demand for her work, she hires between 12-15 women and is careful to hire what she calls “respectful women” or detailed workers who treat their creations with care. Each blouse takes 15-30 days to weave, depending on the design, and she makes about US$400 per blouse.
Lionza’s generous spirit also led her to care for her three orphaned grandchildren. When asked why she chose to take care of additional children, she said that her mother died when she was six years old, and she really suffered during that time. She knows what it’s like to live without a mother and she didn’t want to see her grandchildren struggle. The love she has for the three young children – and the love they have for her – is so evident and touching to see.