It has been a big challenge for the Saqil Group to be able to generate a good source of income for rural communities. It was especially difficult, because most of the people participating from the rural communities are mothers that need to take care of their children at the same time! We are happy to say that the WAKAMI EXPORT VALUE CHAIN has formed 17 rural companies, incorporating about 273 people to a new and much better source of income!
This has all been possible, because people and organizations from all over the world that saw the value and potential in our project are helping us. A great uplifting energy that we call the WAKAMI CONNECTION has been formed by all of those that have been involved in the dream. The incubation department has worked hard to develop rural businesses, with support from international cooperation – the rural companies have learned how to set up businesses – the designers are doing a beautiful job of interpreting global fashion trends and converting them into collections that can be produced by the rural communities – the marketing department is finding new and creative ways to exhibit the products and reach new distributors in all regions of the World—Exclusive importers in the USA, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Panama are spreading the dream rapidly. People all over the world that are buying our products have become inspired by them— AND NOW, RURAL COMMUNITIES, ESPECIALLY WOMEN, HAVE A SOURCE OF INCOME!!
What is next?
The idea for Wakami Villages was born in 2006. The past 5 years have been spent laying the foundation— generating a steady source of income for the rural communities. Now, Wakami Villages is finally becoming a reality! Wakami Villages is a platform and methodology— women with a source of income (from the Wakami Value Chain) have access to products and services that dramatically improve their quality of life and most importantly, transform them into agents of change for their families, communities and LAND!
When a woman has a source of income the Wakami Villages become a reality.
The Wakami Village Methodology— 4 areas of impact:
- Wakami Family: Quality nutrition and education are both implemented and monitored. Children are physically checked for nutrition every month based on their height and weight ratio. Education will be monitored by checking weekly school attendance. Outside organizations are getting involved to make an accurate and reliable program.
- Wakami Home: Products like water filters, stoves, solar energy kits and rain water harvesting units are presented to women, showcasing the benefits, both for the home and the environment.
- Wakami L
and: Women will start organic gardens to produce fresh, healthy food. They will also start to manage solid waste in their communities. - Wakami C
ommunity: Women will create recreational parks in their communities and participate in local decision making spaces!
This methodology is made possible from alliances with organizations that provide these kinds of services for people in rural communities all over the globe that want to create a BEAUTIFUL WORLD, where the SUN SHINES FOR EVERYONE!!!
Learn about the high school program in a few days!!!



































Now we are finally in Guatemala! Yesterday was a beautiful day filled with learning, passion y mucho emotion!
from Keij de los Bosques and Vital Voices met each other early in the morning to begin the long bus ride to Jocotan to see first-hand the progress of this community.
country whose land is normally so green and fertile that even the poorest never die of hunger. After seeing the suffering that was taking place in this isolated community three hours outside of the capital city, Maria Pacheco decided that something must be done. She say the beautiful weavings the Mayan women had been creating for generations, but realized that the income they were receiving was not nearly sufficient for themselves and all of their children.
After years of searching for dependable markets for these womens’ products, Maria came across the owner of Ron Zacapa, a very high-quality Guatemalan rum who was interested in the beautiful weaving to use as part of the packaging:
Now the women of Jocotan feel their worth and their children are going to school with the dream of continuing their education and live their dreams. The connections that were made between the visitors and the rural women will be long-lasting as people realize that although so much has been accomplished already, so much remains to give these women and their families the opportunties they deserve to improve their lives.
The day started out bright and early again with a meeting with the Congress, discussing “Governance: The Role of the Parliament and Judicial System.”
In the evening, Radio FABULOSA invited the women for an interview. Here Maria is explaining the role of Vital Voices here in Guatemala, and the multiplying impact of educating female leaders.
(English version below) Carol Lancaster y Maria Pacheco son una pareja ideal: Maria representa aire, el cielo,
Carol Lancaster vino a la oficina de Kiej de los Bosques, para conocer a la gente trabajando para los productos de Wakami aqui en Guatemala.


village that has been trasformed by developing supply chains between the community and a rum company in Guatemala (which produces the best rum in the World). Then, Carol met with the Congress of Guatemala, including the President and Vice President of Congress, and about 48 more congressmen and women. It was a meeting where Carol described Guatemala as a weak state, but not a failed state. She gave statistics that proved this. Then, Carol gave a talk to about 185 students, inviting them to participate in the transformation of Guatemala. Next day she gave a talk to lawyers, analyzing the situation of Guatemala and creating a discussion of what needs to be done. The conclusion: Guatemalans need to get together and work together!! Change must come from within!! Carol also had the chance to meet with 5 incredible
women, that are working hard to guarantee justice and transparency in Guatemala, which are the main challenges!! And last but not least, my favorite part. We gave together with Carol a workshop to 80 women and men, that are leaders in their communities. We started with the POWER OF DREAMS (my area) and continued with how to create landing structures for these dreams, which is Carol’s area (strategy and tactics, communication, resources, partnerships and networks, and cultural advantages and limitations). We ended this workshop with all the participants holding hands and lighting candles!!! People where to express their vision and dreams for Guatemala!! We all cried, but the general feeling was: THAT GUATEMALA IN OUR DREAMS WAS ALREADY PRESENT IN THE CIRCLE: there was harmony, peace, oneness, and a space where everybody was included!!!

“I want to join Kiej, Maria, I want to be able to be in a place where I can be part of the transformation of the world, I want to meet communities, I want to meet rural women, I want to meet Dona Santa”.
Later on, Queta started writing beautifully, and would read her poems and essays out loud. Queta had this quality in which she could remove herself from a situation and analyze it and describe it in a unique way!!! One day, I asked Queta to transcribe my typewriter written biology thesis into a computer (a graduation requirement for college)!! Back in 1987, PC’s where not that easy to use, but Queta was good.
believed in the idea, and gave us a grant to start developing this brand!!!

