Diega Churunel is a member of Las Estrellas, a cooperative of Mayan women who craft Maya Hands delightful felted wool animals.

It’s easy to understand some of the challenges she had to overcome when Diega describes her childhood. She recalls there were times when she and her six siblings shared a single egg for dinner. During school recess, Diega stayed in the classroom making knotted bracelets, which she later sold for a few pennies. Though she loved school, she had to stop her studies after sixth grade like most Mayan girls her age. 

These days, Diega marvels at the changes in her life, something she attributes to her ability to sell her crafts: “Now I can buy what we need. I have a good home, grow our food and have chickens, turkeys and sheep.” 

“I work with joy. My income sustains our family and allows my daughter to go to school. This work is life.”

A single mother, Diega is adamant that her daughter’s future be bright. Karen Lily receives a Mayan Hands scholarship and is now in secondary school. Diega fully support her daughter's studies and hopes she can fulfill her dream of one day becoming a lawyer.

This year, Diega was happy to share her knowledge with more women. For the first time, she taught two new cooperatives how to make felted wool birds, a popular Mayan Hands product. Diega is excited that the women have turned in their first orders and now receive regular monthly income.