Wiesentheid helps Guatemala: coolies for fair trade!

Wiesentheid helps Guatemala: coolies for fair trade!

In Wiesentheid, the Steigerwald-Landschulheim high school recently made a notable contribution to promoting fair trade. As part of the coolie project, which has the motto “Write fairly!” a total of 138 handcrafted coolies were ordered from Guatemala. This initiative not only benefits the students, who receive individual pens with personalized inscriptions, but also supports the young Indians who make these colorful pieces by hand. The sale of these pens generated an amount of 552 euros, which goes directly to the producers and thus secures their livelihood, reports Main post.

The handy writing instruments, which are wrapped in colorful yarn and have names or words woven into them, are not only unique, but also a wonderful example of the principle of “help through trade”. This project is organized by Ursula Steinmann, who lived in Guatemala for 20 years and brings her experience to fair trade. Since her return to Germany in December 2002, she has been committed to supporting producers and giving them access to markets.

Insights into the coolie project

The pens are colorfully designed, decorated with a colorful ribbon, and the leads are durable and easily replaceable. Students and parents can choose the colors for the middle part of the pens from a colorful range. This not only ensures individuality, but also makes writing fun, like that Fairtrade Schools Blog explains.

This project is based on the long-standing tradition of the Aj Quen organization, which is the protagonist of the fair trade movement in Guatemala. Founded in 1989, it is committed to supporting indigenous artisans and securing an income for local families by marketing their traditional crafts. The “Fair Trade” concept not only helps producers, but also promotes the preservation of cultural identity, reports EZA.

Sustainable perspectives

In order to improve the living conditions of the people in Guatemala, Aj Quen promotes training and exchange between different craft groups. Over 200 producers, the majority of whom are female, benefit from the projects aimed at creating new income opportunities. This initiative is particularly important at a time when many activities have been severely restricted by the pandemic.

The Steigerwald-Landschulheim high school plans to continue the pen project in the future. With this commitment, the students and the entire school family make a significant contribution to a world of solidarity. It turns out that buying a pen is not just a simple transaction, but a powerful step towards greater justice and social responsibility.