Alma de Colores

Labor and social inclusion for youth with disabilities in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

Alma de Colores (Soul of Colors) is a labor and social inclusion program for people with disabilities in the Lake Atitlan region, Guatemala. Located in San Juan la Laguna, the workshop has over 24 participants between 16 and 44 years old who work in five main areas: handicraft production, sewing, baking, organic gardening as well as cooking and running a small restaurant. The garden and the restaurant are part of the Café Correcto project which took place in the frame of the "Nutrire il Pianeta 2014" program.

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Alma de Colores' workers receive fair compensation through economic support for each product that they hand in or day that they work. Furthermore, they receive benefits like food, therapies, transportation, and interest-free loans for education. They also have access to a health fund to cover their short- and long-term medical needs.

The work is run with a philosophy of justice, inclusion, and solidarity, which also extends to our products. Our artisan products are made with local seeds; the bakery produces whole wheat seeded bread using sourdough; all our fabrics in the sewing program are recycled; the garden promotes tranditional plants; and, finally, the restaurant serves natural and nutritious foods. We collaborate with other businesses with similar philosophies and organize educational activities with the communities that we work with.

Alma de Colores is developed within Centro Maya Servicio Integral, which offers therapies, special education, and other services for people with disabilities. The project is a collaboration between Centro Maya and the Italian NGO Centro Orientamento Educativo.