PROJECT TIMELINE

Oct 5, 2005-	The project to help the women of Panabaj began with the mudslides of Hurricane Stan. The first 12 days were directed toward the delivery of emergency supplies and the most fundamental physical necessities. However, during this difficult time an idea was born; and with family funds and donations solicited from Posada guests Susan Gunn Glanville began the project. In the following weeks Susan was contacted by Pueblo a Pueblo, then by Oxfam G.B. which provided the financial help and technical assistance necessary for reaching the large numbers of women who were affected by the mudslides.
Oct 18, 2005- March 2006	Marked the delivery of back strap loom kits and thread for weaving to ultimately 760 women to weave a huipil (traditional blouse) for themselves, as well as 75 sets of warping boards and spinning wheels.
Feb 2006- April 2006	600 women, who remained in a homeless or high risk situation, received an additional package of weaving thread, so that they could weave the cloth of a second huipil, which they could then sell.
May 2006- July 2006	The project bought 520 lengths of fabric from the women, sending 1/3 of them to the states for sale, reserving the very best designs for reproduction, and selling the rest to Santiago visitors.
May 2006- June 2006	The project, now known as CODEMTATSSA, distributed another 260 sets of warping boards and spinning wheels- indispensable tools for a professional weaver.
June 2006- Aug. 2006	The team began to plan a training program, grounded in the traditional weaving art of the Tzutujiles. The objective of the training program was to expand their skills as highly trained artists so that they may have more opportunity for success in the international marketplace.
June 2006	The project began to facilitate the formation of groups of women within the project; creating a structural foundation and a governing body for the future. 460 women formed 18 groups, which the women decided to base on specialization of technique.
June 2006- Aug 2006.	The teachers were identified and located. Most of the teachers were master weavers or embroiderers within the project, and a process began to solicit their collaboration. The team began the logistical coordination of where the classes were to be held, which was complicated by the dispersion of the affected women. The project was supported by the community, and received permission to use the space in schools, churches, community centers in the various areas where the women had located after the disaster.
July 2006- Present	The project began to distribute thread packages to the daughters of the women, who could learn to weave from their mothers, or ask their mothers to weave the huipil for them.
August 2006- Present	The machine sewing and pattern making course began for the women in the group who were not weavers. Within days additional classes began in marketing, natural dyes and antique style weaving techniques. Over the course of the year of Aug 2006- August 2007 there have been more than 230 women who’ve attended approximately 2800 classes- an average of 12 classes per woman. There have been weaving courses in a spectrum of back strap horizontal techniques which have included basic, antique, medium, complicated, delicate, thick, wider and longer, lace, as well as a variety of vertical weaves and Haspe. The weaving techniques are all found the Santiago weaving tradition. In addition classes are held in various embroidery and needlepoint techniques, drawing and design for the embroiderers, and color theory and design for both weavers and embroiderers. Ongoing workshops continue in natural dyes as we dedicate a branch of the project to textiles made with naturally dyed materials.
Dec 2006	An expanded accounting framework was implemented to allow the project to reliably operate independant of any individual. A system of periodic external audits of the project's financial activities was initiated.
Jan 2007	classes resumed for sewing and pattern making.
Jan 2007	Present- Ongoing process to strengthen the organizational sustainability and democratic process of the project.
Feb 2007	The project delivered the documentation of financial records to Representaciones Atitlan ( CPA) for certification that all financial expenditures were in order.
Feb 2007- May 2007	Classes in back strap rug weaving, an expansion of vertical back strap techniques, and the color theory classes resumed, accompanied by an acceleration of color and design experimentation.
Feb 2007- May 2007	The focus of the project shifted toward production concerns, meanwhile continuing with the sewing classes, natural dyes, color theory, and the needs of the embroiderers, who had been neglected!
April 2007 - Present	the body of work of the women; all of the designs; have been sorted through, many market tested and reproduction of the most desirable begun. The products include rugs, bedspreads, curtains, placemats, table runners, and napkins. Embroiders and finishers have been embellishing where needed, and the sewing group have been developing more products, including pillows and a variety of women's accessory bags. See products
April 2007- Present	Resumption of focus to strengthen organizational infrastructure which could support larger scale production. Grant writing and fundraising.
May- June 2007	Resumption of the Oxfam thread distribution to affected women who did not participate in the classes
May 2007	The project received the results of its 2 year audit- all records balanced.
July 2007- Present	Peace corps volunteer joins the team, and work continues to upgrade organizational and production methods.
August 2007	Began efforts to consolidate and implement marketing tools.

telephone: ++502 1111 2222