The Chuchiyá artisan group of Santiago Atitlán crochet these magnificent yarmulkes.  Santiago, located on the shores of Lake Atitlán, is a region that suffered greatly during the civil war.  In spite of the hardships this community has endured, the women of Chuchiyá are a joyous group.  They love to come together to crochet MayaWork's fair trade kippot and gossip about their husbands!  Each handmade kippah takes approximately 4 hours to create.   The Chuchiyá artisans designed these beautiful yarmulkes particularly for a special occasion such as a wedding.  The women crochet to generate a steady income for their families. They are paid a fair wage for each kippah.  The Chuchiyá artisans receive literacy trainings, eye exams and eyeglass donations, skills and leadership trainings, low-interest microloans as well as scholarships for their daughters to attend school.  Several years ago on a MayaWorks tour to Guatemala, a Jewish friend saw MayaWorks artisans making hacky sacks.  She said if the women can make hacky sacks they can make kippot!  And thus a new MayaWorks product was born!  MayaWorks hand-crocheted yarmulkes are its best selling product and create much needed work for our artisan partners many of whom have limited economic opportunities in Guatemala.  The Maya are a very respectful people and take extra care when crocheting our handmade yarmulkes because they understand the importance of kippot to the Jewish community.