Just like one ordinary strand of thread can make an extraordinary product; we believe ordinary people can do extraordinary things-you are living proof. Founders Lauren and Erica are a passionate pair that mix fashion with philanthropy. With more than 7 years spent in Guatemala working with non-profit organizations, they wanted to do more than just sell products; they wanted to create a change. Humble Hilo has traveled back to bring fashion-forward items to you. These unique items mix ancient techniques with modern style that will set you apart from the rest. More importantly, we want YOU to take part in our philanthropic mission by selecting from one of our three amazing projects: Infant and Child Nutrition, Education,and Microfinance for Women.
Humble Hilo works in behalf of the humanitarian organization World Link Partners to provide support by creating job opportunities and giving back a portion of all its profits to three programs that will make a sustainable difference in the lives of Guatemalans in great need: Infant and child nutrition, Literacy and education and Microfinance loans for women.
Humble Hilo, in partnership with World Link Partners, works with local organizations and communities to bring nutritional support to infants and children living in extreme poverty. Extreme poverty (living on less than $1 a day), coupled with lack of education and inaccessible healthcare, means that deaths caused by malnutrition are commonplace. Living on a diet of almost exclusively corn tortillas can produce potentially fatal protein malnutrition, blindness, stunting and a myriad of illnesses. We help to provide result-oriented, nutritional support to children with moderate and severe malnutrition, bringing their weights up to normal levels while providing health education to the family. Nutrient-rich food supplements are provided to severely malnourished children; formula is provided for malnourished infants with cleft pallets, for those whose mothers have died in childbirth, or those whose mothers are too malnourished to produce milk.
Education is one of the most powerful catalysts for lifting someone out of poverty! It empowers individuals, improves quality of life and provides opportunity. More specifically, when a female receives an education, the effects are endless and can transform impoverished societies on a large scale. We focus on providing education and opportunities for girls and women. Humble Hilo, in partnership with World Link Partners, supports projects that empower young women through education and mentoring. We help them to become leaders in their communities. The projects we support combine academic scholarships, personalized mentor-ship and positive peer networks to ensure sustained access and success at the secondary school level.
Poverty in Guatemala is widespread and deeply rooted, particularly among the poor, rural people who currently account for 71 percent of the country's poverty-stricken population. Of the impoverished population, women are the most vulnerable and less aware of their rights (International Fund for Agriculture 2008). A typical indigenous Mayan woman has to provide for her family on 44 cents per day. She has a family of seven, is rurally based and has only been to school through the first grade. She has never been formally employed and is usually illiterate. This is unacceptable to Humble Hilo. Humble Hilo, in partnership with World Link Partners helps to provide microcredit loans to women in need. Investing in a woman can make all the difference and is the key not only her future, but the future of her children, extended family, and community as a whole. These small business loans provide opportunity! They provide financial opportunity for women to improve the quality of life for themselves and for their families. We work to provide small business loans to qualified applicants.
The "huipil" is a traditional, square-cut blouse that is hand-woven and heavily decorated with embroidered designs. The huipil is a universal element of every woman's traje, or traditional dress. Our artisans use these huipiles to create our beautiful bags; they are literally pieces of art and deeply entrenched in the Guatemalan culture.