December 20, 2024
I find it hard to jump on the holiday bandwagon. Too much noise; too much advertising, too much food, too much anxiety, way too much over-excitement – all leading to inevitable post- celebration letdown. If I hear “Little Drummer Boy” again this year I may have to throw the radio at the wall.
That said, I’ve recently had an experience that’s made me think it is still possible to capture the best of the holiday season. I was invited to a “party” for the Chiapas Project, put on by students from Oakwood High School in Los Angeles.
On display were high quality table runners, bags, backpacks, purses in several sizes, and items of clothing, featuring gorgeous hand embroidery, made by the Women of Corn Resistance, a federation of nine cooperatives in the rainforest and mountains.
For the past 21 years, students at Oakwood High School in Los Angeles have worked with these women to market the items they produce. All the money received for these goods goes directly to the Indigenous women who make them. To date, the Chiapas House Parties in the homes of Oakwood families have raised close to a million and a half dollars.
I came away from the party with several beautiful pieces. More important, I came away touched by the dedication of the students and their advisor, Mickey Morgan. When I hear about the horrendous things happening in Chiapas and the widespread poverty there, I feel powerless to do something about it. Here’s a program that puts money directly in the pockets of those in need.
May the energy of these students continue to support and reward the talent of the women of Chiapas.
If you’d like more information about this program, go to www.chiapasproject.com.