The Buxa Project: A Collaboration Between Cuenta Conmigo and Maye Ipefi

The Latino Resource Center is proud to announce the recent collaboration between Cuenta Conmigo and the Mexican nonprofit Fundación Tláloc, an organization dedicated to the empowerment of women from the indigenous Otomi tribe in San Mateo Capulhuac.

With generous funding from Fundación Tláloc, this small Otomi community launched Maye Ipefi (Hands to Work), a program that provides women with a stable income while allowing them to continue caring for their families. Utilizing their skills as craftsman, the Otomi women fashion Buxas (bags) from fabric that would otherwise be destined for the landfill. The buxa are then sold at fair-trade market prices all around the world.

Before the establishment of Maye Ipefi, women were forced by their husbands to stay in their homes in order to cook, clean and care for their children. Given the remote location of the community, it was nearly impossible to find employement without traveling several hours to the nearest city. Now, the Otomi women have the opportunity to work from home, allowing them to earn an income and socialize with other women while simultaneously managing their households.

As more money flows into the community thanks to the work of the women, the male dominated culture is beginning to change for the better. Many of the men are beginning to take a larger role in the household chores, allowing the women to work together at the newly built community workshop. Over the past 15 years, Fundación Tláloc has donated 24 sewing machines, seven of which are industrial strength. Watch the video above and you'll see that the craftsmanship of the Buxas is undeniable. Each laptop case, handbag, pencil case, and yoga bag is as unique as the woman who sews them.

Come to the Jackson Hole People’s Market and support this wonderful project. By purchasing these crafts, you’ll be supporting both the Cuenta Conmigo program and the women behind Maye Ipefi (the proceeds from each Buxa will be split between Cuenta Conmigo and Maye Ipefi). The partnership has already raised enough money to keep Maye Ipefi in business for 3 months... and we can do so much more! These Buxas make wonderful gifts!

“We’re selling the Buxas at happy prices. The women who are making these bags are happy because for the first time in their lives, they are earning an income... The LRC is happy to receive support for Cuenta Conmigo, and the consumer is happy because they’re getting a great price for a unique product... Everybody is happy!” says Barbara Bureau, founder and director of Cuenta Conmigo.

Join us at the Jackson Hole People’s Market! Every Wednesday from 4-7pm at Phil Baux Park at the base of Snow King.