Friendship Bridge’s newest Friendship Circle allows volunteers in different communities to come together

Members of the Global Satellite Circle and Friendship Bridge staff meet on Zoom from their respective cities.

Seven individuals spanning seven different cities form one of Friendship Bridge’s newest Circles. Friendship Circles are groups of volunteers who support Friendship Bridge’s mission in Guatemala by hosting social gatherings, organizing fundraising efforts, and spreading the word with friends and family in their local communities. There are Circles nationwide, including in Colorado, California, Texas, and Oklahoma. Since 2023, there’s a Circle that meets online: the Global Satellite Friendship Circle.

Maya Colop-Morales founded the Global Satellite Friendship Circle in 2023.

Maya Colop-Morales, former manager of Handmade by Friendship Bridge®, is the founder of the Global Satellite Circle. “I really just wanted to create a space where we could come together and let our shared passion for Friendship Bridge’s mission inspire us to find unique ways to contribute to  the organization’s work from afar,” Maya says.

The Global Satellite Circle is composed of individuals nationwide who are committed to contributing more directly to Friendship Bridge’s work to create opportunities that empower Guatemalan women to build a better life. Some Circle members have been supporters of Friendship Bridge for decades, whether in a volunteer or full-time employee capacity; others were more recently introduced to the organization and its impactful programs that serve more than 35,000 primarily indigenous women in Guatemala. All members, despite being geographically dispersed, are united by their shared advocacy for Friendship Bridge’s mission.

“I heard about Friendship Bridge several years ago through my husband’s aunt who works for the organization,” says Ashley, a Circle member from Nebraska. “His mom has gifted me several Handmade by Friendship Bridge® items which I’ve always admired and used often! It wasn’t until I had the opportunity to visit Guatemala last year on an Insight Trip that I truly understood the work Friendship Bridge does and the impact they make on empowering women and eliminating poverty.”

After her trip to Guatemala, Ashley knew she wanted to deliberately prioritize Friendship Bridge as an organization she supported continuously. And the timing of that commitment could not have been better—Friendship Bridge’s first-ever virtual Circle was established shortly after. 

Maya notes that the idea of creating a virtual community where members could come together, share ideas and experiences, and support each other in empowering women in Guatemala deeply resonated with her. One of her favorite moments so far leading this Circle was inviting individuals to join and how enthusiastic everyone was about being a part of this space. “Each meeting is a beautiful moment that brings us together around our shared goal of supporting Friendship Bridge,” Maya says.

(Left to right) Circle Liaison Ardis joined Global Satellite Circle members Jane and Ashley in San Juan La Laguna, Sololá, Guatemala, during the 2023 Insight Trip.

How it works

The Circle currently meets every other month on a Saturday morning for approximately one and a half hours—a cadence that was agreed upon by the group at the start. In these meetings, members exchange anecdotes and provide a mix of personal and professional updates. Many of the members did not know one another when the Circle first started, but these meetings always include space for conversation and connection that goes beyond a predetermined agenda.

Sometimes members discuss new product ideas for Handmade by Friendship Bridge® artisans and how such products could open doors to additional export opportunities for them. Meetings often also involve updates about Friendship Bridge as an organization, and Friendship Bridge’s Circle Liaison, Ardis, highlights upcoming opportunities for collaboration between the Global Satellite Circle and Friendship Bridge.

Circle Member Betty hosted a pop-up at Flegel’s furniture store in Menlo Park, California, in December. She was joined by her granddaughter (shown right) and her daughter-in-law.

The primary purpose of these meetings, however, is to allow members to share updates on activities they’ve led which promote Friendship Bridge. These activities are often sales-focused events in which members sell Handmade by Friendship Bridge® products, with the proceeds going to the artisans. Simultaneously, members educate shoppers about Friendship Bridge’s work and mission. 

Circle member Jane from Pennsylvania stresses the importance of engaging with customers, talking to them about the women behind the unique handmade products and about Friendship Bridge’s innovative and high-impact approach to poverty alleviation that combines the tools of microfinance, education, and preventive health services. 

“[Across three craft shows] I interacted with so many people and they learned a ton about Friendship Bridge, about the mission,” says Jane. “They were overwhelmed to learn just how much the organization supports women.”

Past and upcoming initiatives by Global Satellite Circle Members

Since the official inauguration of the Circle in August 2023, all members have contributed in thoughtful and unique ways to Friendship Bridge’s mission. They have hosted successful sales at their homes and via FaceTime; participated in expos and craft fairs; pitched the Master Weavers Collection of huipiles to local museums; engaged their local Rotary clubs, women’s groups, and garden clubs. They have visited and spoken with Friendship Bridge clients, and one member attended the Weave a Real Peace (WARP) annual meeting, an inclusive global network of individuals and organizations who value the importance of textile arts. A few of the Circle members are planning to visit Guatemala together in early 2024. As of July 2024, the Global Satellite Circle has contributed more than $26,000 to Friendship Bridge through donations, sales, and tickets. 

“Each time that our circle meets, I feel the energy and commitment bubble over with the members. Ideas pop up and can get expanded and refined with the different members’ input and experience,” Jane notes. “It’s an amazing sounding board for ideas, support, encouragement and friendship. I am so thankful to be a part of such an amazing group!”

Circle member Jane sells Handmade by Friendship Bridge® products at an event.

Maya’s understanding of the challenges faced by women artisans, cultivated through her professional experiences at Friendship Bridge, have been instrumental as she leads the Circle and motivates each member to continue with their independent activities that support Friendship Bridge’s mission. 

“Growing up in Guatemala, I witnessed the resilience of women in rural communities. Their dedication to improving their lives through entrepreneurship has profoundly inspired me,” Maya says. “The vibrant markets, rich traditions, and the warmth of the Guatemalan people hold a special place in my heart. I have countless stories of the moments shared with the talented artisans at Handmade by Friendship Bridge®, which have created a deep connection with them. I consider each artisan a dear friend and want to see them succeed and achieve their dreams. Their stories are in my heart, driving my commitment to our Global Satellite Circle and Friendship Bridge.”

About the author: Kaylin Lang is a member of Friendship Bridge’s Global Satellite Circle; she also worked with Friendship Bridge in the past, first as a Training and Sales Intern for the Artisan Market Access Program (now Handmade by Friendship Bridge®) and later as a Content Associate. Kaylin is passionate about Friendship Bridge’s work and values the opportunity the highlight the organization’s growing impact through storytelling.

Circle members Jane and Ashley visit with Handmade by Friendship Bridge® artisan Magdalena and her daughter in Guatemala.