Post by Upper Valley MEND

Laurie Peek has been going on buying trips to Guatemala for Jubilee Global Gifts since the store opened in 1997. Last year, after a 23-year hiatus, she went back to La Esperanza, a community nestled in one of the most dangerous places in Guatemala, Guatemala City. There she found that the small co-op she had first visited more than two decades ago, Unidas Para Vivir Mejor (UPAVIM, United for a Better Life) was still active and flourishing. “It’s in a very dangerous part of Guatemala City,” Laurie said. “Most people are told not to go there.” Undeterred, Laurie took a cab on her last day in Guatemala and was amazed to see how much la Esperanza had grown. “It’s become very built up,” she said. “There are dozens of people, a school with children, teachers, food. The medical and dental centers from 20 years ago were still going.” Laurie met women who 20 years ago were novices at craft-making and were now managers and supervisors in charge of shipping the gifts all over the world. “It’s a great success story. It has helped so many women provide for their families,” Laurie said. If you’ve ever bought a gift from UPAVIM at Jubilee, you were part of this success. Thank you! #community #thankyou #people #food #school #entrepreneurship #women