The handmade community of children by Guatemala He was born in one of the hardest stages of humanity: The Covid-19 pandemia. A group of minors took their free time to sell products, crafts and desserts through social networks and a web page, in order to help other organizations and reach the most needy.
It was an initiative of Marie Berthelemy Grassi, then 12 years old, and her close friends.
The project survives and has become an organization. Today new initiatives are explored to enrich the supply of products, continue collecting funds and support more children in need in the different communities of the country.
Berthelemy was born in New York, from Uruguayan parents. Currently, he is 17 years old and comments that training have continued to learn different crafts.
He explains that this initiative was born because, during the Covid-19 crisis, she acknowledged that she lived in a house and had food, but many people had lost her job, so her purpose was to give those who did not have and turn this into sustainable. “They are small changes, but they help,” he explains.
Her parents have supported her to legalize the foundation and create the platforms to continue with this project.
In 2024, sewing, programming and bracelet manufacturing workshops were taught. Among its beneficiaries is a set of young people in Grupo Concepción, San Lorenzo Sacatepéquez.
Go further
Thanks to the support received through sales, programming workshops have been organized in the Bethania neighborhood, Zone 7 capital, in collaboration with codifies. This initiative has made a group of children learn and enjoy each session with their own computer, and has made minors train technology.
They donated four laptops, two sewing machines, sewing materials (fabrics, threads, elastic, needles, scissors, rules and more), books in English and Spanish, wooden puzzles (early stimulation games), school supplies and furniture (libraries, cabinet, table).
Funds have also been raised through the elaboration of bags by indigenous women, together with the Uruguayan designer Alexia Berthelemy, and have been sold in Guatemala, Austria, Uruguay and Switzerland; These funds help organize workshops. “We want to expand our impact on Guatemala and get to help more children,” says the adolescent leader, while affirming her desire to reproduce this dynamic in other countries.
New initiative
In 2025 an alliance with the Kumon Center has been forgedwhich teaches a learning method that seeks to enhance each student to develop their mathematics and English skills. 15 courses for young artisans will be financed.
For more information, visit ninmporguatemala.comor on Instagram: @ninosporguatemala.