Creamos Tours
Where the story is told by the women who founded and fuel our mission.
THE CREAMOS TOUR INCLUDES
Community Context
To fully understand why Creamos exists, it’s important to grasp the context of the community. When you arrive, we’ll review the history of the Guatemala City garbage dump, discuss the labor practices of those who collect trash to recycle, reuse, or resell, and delve into cultural norms, such as sexism and gender-based violence, that have resulted in extreme poverty and limited opportunities for women.
The Creamos Story
Like all great stories, ours began when a group of women decided to challenge the status quo. Founding their own entrepreneurship initiative, they learned to make upcycled jewelry, sewn goods, and eco-friendly custom packaging products for socially-conscious businesses. Their initiative has become so much more than they could have imagined. Today, Creamos is a multi-service non-profit that provides adult education, emotional support, and workforce training for over 400 community members. We’ll give you a tour of our facility and share the story of our organization’s past, present and future.
Activity with mi eelo Artisans
Creamos (meaning ‘we create’ or ‘let’s believe’) was founded by a group of women who started making paper bead jewelry from recycled magazines. Over the years, these artisans have expanded their skill set to include the on-site production of sewn goods, home decor, and screen-printed items. In 2021, they officially launched their own social business called mi eelo. They will give you a first hand look into their profession by facilitating an activity through which you’ll make a product in their workshop.
Shop handmade products at mi eelo
Once you have explored the community context, Creamos’ mission, and spent time with participants, we will bring your visit to a close in our onsite store, where you will have the opportunity to shop a wide array of handmade items. Your purchase contributes to expanding access to safe and dignified work for more women in the community surrounding the Guatemala City garbage dump.