Mercado Global
The need for comprehensive development in Guatemala is urgent: The estimated average rural household income is less than $450per year, a fewer than two out of ten rural girls reach the 6th grade, and 67% of indigenous children suffer from chronic malnourishment. In addition, international aid to Guatemala has decreased over the years. Many communities responded to the limited opportunities for development by creating cooperatives, but the fluctuating tourist market, wavering political climate and the oversupply of crafts flooding the small market kept the prices very low. Mercado Global is built on the belief that the key to Guatemala's progress and social stability lies in providing communities with the monetary and structural resources to fund their own development. Mercado Global partners with local NGOs to provide technical assistance to community-based cooperatives and to produce traditional products that meet US market demands (which are sold at four times the local rate). Through college chapters throughout the United States, Mercado Global mobilizes students to market the local products and therefore, engage in development and activism that will build a stronger economic and social infrastructure. 100% of the profits return to their partner cooperatives to promote both fair wage employment and investments in their children's education.
http://www.mercadoglobal.org
The need for comprehensive development in Guatemala is urgent: The estimated average rural household income is less than $450per year, a fewer than two out of ten rural girls reach the 6th grade, and 67% of indigenous children suffer from chronic malnourishment. In addition, international aid to Guatemala has decreased over the years. Many communities responded to the limited opportunities for development by creating cooperatives, but the fluctuating tourist market, wavering political climate and the oversupply of crafts flooding the small market kept the prices very low. Mercado Global is built on the belief that the key to Guatemala's progress and social stability lies in providing communities with the monetary and structural resources to fund their own development. Mercado Global partners with local NGOs to provide technical assistance to community-based cooperatives and to produce traditional products that meet US market demands (which are sold at four times the local rate). Through college chapters throughout the United States, Mercado Global mobilizes students to market the local products and therefore, engage in development and activism that will build a stronger economic and social infrastructure. 100% of the profits return to their partner cooperatives to promote both fair wage employment and investments in their children's education.
http://www.mercadoglobal.org
