{"id":9913,"date":"2025-12-30T15:19:21","date_gmt":"2025-12-30T15:19:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.icu.it\/growth-and-courage-in-guatemala-the-stories-of-marta-and-dina-with-alma\/"},"modified":"2025-12-31T13:22:27","modified_gmt":"2025-12-31T13:22:27","slug":"growth-and-courage-in-guatemala-the-stories-of-marta-and-dina-with-alma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.icu.it\/en\/growth-and-courage-in-guatemala-the-stories-of-marta-and-dina-with-alma\/","title":{"rendered":"Courage and determination in pursuing their dreams in Guatemala: the stories of Marta and Dina with ALMA"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Traducci\u00f3n espa\u00f1ola abajo<\/em><\/p>\n\n

Marta Alicia: A Journey of Growth and Empowerment<\/b><\/h2>\n\n

Marta Alicia G. P. is a Guatemalan woman residing in the municipality of Santa Mar\u00eda de Jes\u00fas, located at the foot of the imposing Volcano de Agua. Like many women in rural areas, her life has been marked by significant economic and social challenges. In July of this year, the municipality was hit by a series of earthquakes that caused the destruction of some homes and the closure of the main access road to and from the town due to landslides. Nevertheless, Marta filled herself with deep determination to move forward and build a better future for her family.<\/p>\n\n

Every Wednesday, she would wake up at 5:00 a.m. to get ready and walk for over two hours to reach the Las Gravileas Training Center, located in the village of Santa Catarina Bobadilla, near La Antigua Guatemala.<\/p>\n\n

“For me, it was a great joy to share such a beautiful experience because now I am part of my own entrepreneurial project. When you are young, you are afraid to accomplish something.”<\/p>\n\n

With the desire to strengthen her skills and access better opportunities, Marta had the chance to join a group of women who received scholarships to participate in various technical courses offered by Las Gravileas. These scholarships were made possible thanks to the ALMA Project (Support for Women in Rural Areas), implemented by the Institute for University Cooperation (ICU) from Italy, funded by the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI), in collaboration with the Association for Educational Cooperation (ACOE).<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Marta Alicia was an exemplary student and trained in the culinary arts, a field in which she discovered and honed her talent, discipline, and creativity. Currently, Marta runs a business called <\/span>Dulce Nombre de Mar\u00eda<\/span><\/i>, focusing on preparing sweets for all occasions and organizing social events for families and companies, thus supporting her family and acquiring some basic equipment to improve her service.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

“I thank God and everything I learned at Las Gravileas. I started an event planning and rental business. At the beginning of the year, we had 50 chairs, and now, at the end of the year, we already have 700 available for rent, along with tables and other equipment.”<\/p>\n\n

The ALMA Project has promoted the empowerment and economic autonomy of many women living in vulnerable situations. In this context, the technical and financial support to the Las Gravileas Training Center has been decisive. Thanks to this collaboration, the women have gained access to technical and professional training in the gastronomic and artisanal sectors, acquiring the necessary tools to enter the labor market or start their own businesses.<\/p>\n\n

“Thank you for all the opportunities I have received. We have learned to calculate costs, manage finances, and thanks to this, many doors have opened, and we see the fruits of our work. I thank Las Gravileas and the ALMA Project because I will carry a very important experience with me.”<\/p>\n\n

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Dina Lucrecia: Weaving Dreams with Heart and Sacrifice<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Dina Lucrecia M. lives in Patzic\u00eda, a municipality in the department of Chimaltenango, in the western part of the country. She comes from a humble yet deeply hardworking family. Her parents are engaged in agriculture and, despite economic difficulties, through commitment and sacrifice they managed to ensure education for all their children, including Juanita.<\/p>\n\n

From a young age, Dina has always dreamed big. With a strong desire to learn and a firm aspiration to become a recognized fashion designer, she decided to enroll in the technical course in Maya Clothing Cutting and Sewing at the Ixoqi Training Center, one of the centers supported by the ALMA Project, Support for Women in Rural Areas.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

“For two years, I attended two of Ixoqi\u2019s most emblematic courses: one is Beading and Embroidery, and the other is the Cutting and Sewing course, which are the most in demand in the center\u2019s area of intervention, because we Indigenous women proudly wear our Maya clothing.”<\/p>\n\n

During this period, this young dreamer strengthened her skills, refined her techniques, and reaffirmed her cultural identity. This year, in 2025, at the time of graduation, Dina is already planning, with the unconditional support of her parents, to open a small shop selling garments entirely made by her. Each piece reflects not only her talent, but also the cultural richness of her people, embodied in the traditional clothing of the Kaqchikel Maya people.<\/p>\n\n

“I would like to thank Ixoqi for passing on all this technical and human knowledge to us, as well as the ALMA Project, the Institute for University Cooperation (ICU) from Italy, and this year the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI), for the high-quality technical training that is transforming our lives.”<\/p>\n\n

Next year, Dina will continue to work with dedication and passion. Her dream is to become a great fashion designer, to enhance what she has learned at Ixoqi, and to show that Maya culture can go beyond borders through textile art. Dina\u2019s story is a clear example that, with opportunities, guidance, and determination, dreams can become reality.<\/p>\n\n

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_________________________________<\/p>\n\n

ESP<\/p>\n\n

El coraje y la determinaci\u00f3n para perseguir sus sue\u00f1os en Guatemala: las historias de Marta y Dina con ALMA\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n

Marta Alicia: un camino de superaci\u00f3n y empoderamiento<\/h2>\n\n

Marta Alicia G\u00f3mez Pat\u00e1n, es una guatemalteca, vecina del municipio de Santa Mar\u00eda de Jes\u00fas, ubicado frente a las faldas del imponente Volc\u00e1n de Agua. Como muchas mujeres de \u00e1reas rurales, su vida ha estado marcada por grandes desaf\u00edos econ\u00f3micos y sociales. En el mes de julio de este a\u00f1o, este municipio fue azotado por una serie de sismos que causaron destrucci\u00f3n en algunas viviendas y el cierre de la carretera principal de ingreso y salida del municipio debido a una serie de derrumbes, sin embargo, Marta se llen\u00f3 de una profunda determinaci\u00f3n de salir adelante y construir un mejor futuro para su familia.<\/p>\n\n

Se levantaba todos los d\u00edas mi\u00e9rcoles a las 5:00 a.m. para prepararse y salir caminando por m\u00e1s de dos horas, hacia las instalaciones del Centro de Capacitaci\u00f3n Las Gravileas, ubicado en la Aldea Santa Catarina Bobadilla, en La Antigua Guatemala.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cPara m\u00ed, fue una gran alegr\u00eda, el compartir una linda experiencia porque ahora ya formo parte de mi emprendimiento, de lo que peque\u00f1o que uno es, uno tiene miedo de llevar algo a cabo<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n\n

Con el deseo de fortalecer sus capacidades y acceder mejores a oportunidades, Marta form\u00f3 parte del grupo de mujeres que recibieron una beca de estudios para capacitarse en distintos cursos t\u00e9cnicos impartidos en Las Gravileas. Estas becas fueron posibles gracias al Proyecto ALMA, Acompa\u00f1amiento a las Mujeres de \u00c1reas Rurales), ejecutado por el Instituto para la Cooperaci\u00f3n Universitaria (ICU) de Italia, con el financiamiento de la Conferencia Episcopal Italiana (CEI), en colaboraci\u00f3n con la Asociaci\u00f3n para la Cooperaci\u00f3n Educativa (ACOE).<\/p>\n\n

Marta Alicia, fue una alumna ejemplar y pudo formarse en el arte culinario, \u00e1rea en la que descubri\u00f3 y fortaleci\u00f3 su talento, disciplina y creatividad. Actualmente, Marta tiene ya un emprendimiento llamado Dulce Nombre de Mar\u00eda, dedic\u00e1ndose a elaborar pasteles para toda ocasi\u00f3n y tambi\u00e9n el montaje de eventos sociales para familias y empresas, con lo cual ha logrado sostener su hogar y tambi\u00e9n comprar algunos equipos b\u00e1sicos para mejorar su servicio.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cAgradezco a Dios y a lo aprendido en Las Gravileas, empec\u00e9 un emprendimiento de montaje de eventos y poner un servicio de alquifiestas. Por lo que yo he aprendido aqu\u00ed empezamos al inicio de a\u00f1o, empezamos con 50 y ahora a fin de a\u00f1o, ya tenemos 700 sillas que estamos alquilando, junto con mesas y otras cosas m\u00e1s\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n\n

El Proyecto ALMA ha promovido el empoderamiento y la autonom\u00eda econ\u00f3mica de muchas mujeres que viven en situaciones de vulnerabilidad. En este contexto, el apoyo t\u00e9cnico y financiero al Centro de Formaci\u00f3n Las Gravileas ha sido decisivo. Gracias a esta colaboraci\u00f3n, las mujeres han tenido acceso a una formaci\u00f3n t\u00e9cnica y profesional en el sector gastron\u00f3mico y artesanal, adquiriendo las herramientas necesarias para incorporarse al mercado laboral o iniciar sus propios negocios.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cGracias por todas las cosas que he recibido, aprendimos a ver los costos, como llevar sus finanzas y a trav\u00e9s de eso, las puertas se nos abrieron y vemos el fruto de nuestro trabajo. Agradezco a Gravileas y al Proyecto ALMA porque me voy a llevar una experiencia muy importante\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

Dina Lucrecia: Tejiendo sue\u00f1os con hijo y con coraz\u00f3n<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Dina Lucrecia M. vive en Patzic\u00eda, un municipio del departamento de Chimaltenango, al occidente del pa\u00eds. Proviene de una familia humilde, pero profundamente trabajadora. Sus padres se dedican a la agricultura y, a pesar de las dificultades econ\u00f3micas, con esfuerzo y sacrificio lograron brindar estudios a todos sus hijos, incluida Juanita.<\/p>\n\n

Desde peque\u00f1a, Dina siempre so\u00f1\u00f3 en algo grande. Con una enorme voluntad de aprender y el firme anhelo de convertirse en una modista reconocida, decidi\u00f3 inscribirse en el curso t\u00e9cnico de Corte y Confecci\u00f3n de indumentaria Maya en el Centro de Capacitaci\u00f3n Ixoqi, uno de los centros apoyados por el Proyecto ALMA, Acompa\u00f1amiento a las Mujeres de \u00c1reas Rurales.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cDurante dos a\u00f1os, estudi\u00e9 dos de los cursos emblem\u00e1ticos de Ixoq\u00ed, uno de ellos es el de Perlados y Perforados y el otro es el de Corte y Confecci\u00f3n, que son lo que tienen mayor demanda en la zona de intervenci\u00f3n del centro de capacitaci\u00f3n, debido a que las mujeres ind\u00edgenas, lucimos con mucho orgullo, nuestra indumentaria maya\u201d.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n

En este tiempo, esta joven so\u00f1adora, fortaleci\u00f3 sus habilidades, perfeccion\u00f3 sus t\u00e9cnicas y reafirm\u00f3 su identidad cultural. Este a\u00f1o 2025, al graduarse, Dina ya est\u00e1 planificando, con el apoyo incondicional de sus padres para montar una peque\u00f1a tienda de venta de prendas de vestir, todas confeccionadas por ella misma. Cada pieza refleja no solo su talento, sino tambi\u00e9n la riqueza cultural de su pueblo, plasmada en la indumentaria tradicional de la etnia maya kaqchikel.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cQuiero agradecer al Ixoqi\u00b4 por darnos todo este conocimiento t\u00e9cnico y humano y tambi\u00e9n al Proyecto ALMA, al Instituto para la Cooperaci\u00f3n Universitaria (ICU) de Italia y este a\u00f1o a la Conferencia Episcopal Italiana (CEI), por la formaci\u00f3n t\u00e9cnica de calidad que transforma nuestra vida\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n\n

Para el pr\u00f3ximo a\u00f1o, Dina continuar\u00e1 trabajando con dedicaci\u00f3n y pasi\u00f3n. Su sue\u00f1o es convertirse en una gran dise\u00f1adora de modas, llevar en alto lo aprendido en Ixoqi y demostrar que la cultura maya puede trascender fronteras a trav\u00e9s del arte textil. La historia de Dina es un claro ejemplo de que, con oportunidades, acompa\u00f1amiento y determinaci\u00f3n, los sue\u00f1os pueden hacerse realidad.<\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Traducci\u00f3n espa\u00f1ola abajo Marta Alicia: A Journey of Growth and Empowerment Marta Alicia G. P. is a Guatemalan woman residing in the municipality of Santa Mar\u00eda de Jes\u00fas, located at the foot of the imposing Volcano de Agua. Like many women in rural areas, her life has been marked by significant economic and social challenges. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":9885,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9913","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-icu-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.icu.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9913","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.icu.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.icu.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.icu.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.icu.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9913"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.icu.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9913\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9920,"href":"https:\/\/www.icu.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9913\/revisions\/9920"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.icu.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9885"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.icu.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9913"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.icu.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9913"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.icu.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9913"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}