Artisans participate in a workshop to help build technological skills
In Chiapas Mexico, artisans are taking firm steps towards covering knowledge gaps. Since January 2015, ATA Mexico implemented two workshops that the artisans requested in order to master skills essential to their development as businesswomen. These workshops are laying the groundwork for artisans to communicate more effectively with future clients. They are scheduled to end in June.
Janette Corzo Hernandez (center), one the facilitators of the course, working with artisans
The representatives of various groups are taking a technological literacy course to understand the basics of computation. These 19 participants now understand how to operate email, execute online searches and are beginning to work with Microsoft Office applications. One artisan remarked that she enjoys this new window she has to the world – she has already developed new products inspired by searches she has made online. Another was proud to report that she was emailing with a client. Having never used computers, the artisans have overcome cultural and gender barriers and are motivated to learn more about previously inaccessible concepts like computers and the internet. This workshop is lead by ATA Mexico in collaboration with Aprendamos and the elementary school Pequeño Sol.
An artisan working on her digital literacy skills
Thanks to an alliance with the school of language in the local campus of the Autonomous University of Chiapas, twenty artisans are taking English classes. They are struggling to learn their third language (as they already speak Tzotzil or Tzeltal and Spanish), but excited about the progress they are making and interested in continuing their studies. They are building introductory vocabulary, understanding verb conjugations and forming sentences to pave the way towards successful interactions with foreign clients. Recently while giving a workshop on backstrap weaving in the Heath Ceramics Gallery in San Francisco, an artisan drew upon her newfound knowledge of numbers and basic conversational skills to speak with the people she was teaching. ATA is proud of the recent successes of these very talented women.