How the Women’s Center is Advancing Women’s Wellness in San Lucas

Written by Faith Pitsikoulis

Today, we’re learning about how the Women’s Center advocates for women’s well-being. The Women’s Center’s primary programming consists of classes for women to learn marketable skills, so they are able to earn their own income. The Center also provides support to advance women’s physical and mental health. We spoke with the Director of the Women’s Center, Guicha Ajcibinac, who oversees these programs that focus on the holistic well-being of women in San Lucas.

How did the Women’s Center begin?

Father Greg [Schaffer] founded the Center, because he saw the difficult situation of women working under a lot of stress. Women never had a space directly for themselves. He thought of building this program, so that women would have their own opportunities. It is the essence of his heart. We always share how the Women’s Center came about, because the work of this great program comes from him. 

How does the Women’s Center uplift the well-being of women?

The Women’s Center helps women by allowing them to relax, have confidence, and have important conversations with each other. The women here support each other, because they have all lived the same experiences. It encourages and raises the self-esteem of other women who are going through difficult times. I have seen a lot of change in the lives of women here. In these ten years that we have been working, we have gotten to know many different women. We know different groups, different problems, and different situations that people experience. It is important to give space to women, because they have the capacity and talents to do many things. 

What is the most common experience women share at the Women’s Center?

One of the experiences shared is the machismo [an exaggerated sense of masculinity] that limits some women from participating at the Center. This is on a national level. Often, the husband does not agree with his wife and doesn’t allow her to take opportunities to improve her living conditions by gaining knowledge. Also, there is still a major difficulty for most women economically. So, little by little, women are becoming aware and learning that they have value. They are learning how to get ahead and improve their life. There are also many cases where women have come with depression and mental health problems, but here they find solutions through mutual support.

Are there women with children who need resources from the Women’s Center?

Yes, and that makes it a little more complicated for women. Most of those who come to the Center have children. They need to go out and drop their children off somewhere, or bring them here. Thank God there is a large enough space at the Center for the children, so they do not take away much time from their mothers. They start playing and entertaining themselves, so mothers can access the resources here. However, it is hard for women in rural areas to pay their own expenses to get here, such as transportation. When there is good communication between a husband and wife, then sometimes the husband helps, but not always. Unfortunately, we do not have a nursery where someone can take care of the children. Sometimes, we have support from student interns studying psychology who come to the center to gather information to write their theses. They work with the children, especially children with autism.

Can you describe the significance of the medicinal plant garden?

The area of medicinal plants is very important to us as Mayan Kaqchikel people. It is very important to maintain the history of medicinal plants since this comes from our grandparents. They placed a lot of value on medicinal plants and nature. They treated their health with the different kinds of plants they had around the house, because there were no pharmacies. At the same time, medicinal plants improved health and did not make things worse like chemical medicines. Chemical medicines cure one disease, but bring other consequences. Now, most plants are prepared in tea while others are used for massages. It all depends on the illness that the person has.

How does the temazcal, a type of sweat lodge, contribute to women’s physical well-being?

The temazcal is a new project at the Women’s Center. We are excited to start using it. In the past, midwives used the temazcal to help treat women giving birth. They were given three baths after giving birth, so that their body was safe from all kinds of infections.

The new temazcal at the Mission Women’s Center, constructed in 2024.

What resources does the Women’s Center provide to support women affected by domestic violence?

We know where women can go in case of any aggression in their family. There is the Amludi Institution that has psychologists and lawyers, so they can take on cases for mediation. Then, there are the courts as well. There is another institution called Casa Aq’ab’al where women who are victims of violence can seek help.

What skills are taught to help women achieve economic independence?

There are two workshops that were Father Greg’s dreams. Both workshops teach women how to be entrepreneurs in order to get ahead, so they can provide an education and good health for their family. The Women’s Center’s main function is to provide this knowledge and train women. 

Guicha (center) and Karina (left) receive recognition for their work at the Women’s Center from the municipality of San Lucas Tolimán

How does the Women’s Center measure the impact of its programs?

We measure the impact by everything that has already been achieved. There is a good percentage of women in the community right now who are recognized for their work. I think the growth can already be seen. There is a woman who is now an entrepreneur, and she has her own small business at home with a group who use sewing machines to make and sell clothing. Women are taking on these projects, which is a way to measure whether they are economically growing.

Can you share any personal stories from women at the Women’s Center?

This is very interesting to me, because I have had very strong experiences in my life. I can tell a woman that she can move forward. She can be stronger for it. Many times there are women who have problems with their husbands. They separate and don’t know what to do. They have children and don’t know what they are going to do. A woman can make her own decision to look for a job and look for a way to get ahead. One can do it, because I went through this situation. I have been separated for 22 years now, and I had four children. The biggest problem I had was starting at the Women’s Center. I began participating, but my husband didn’t like it. He said that if he was paying our expenses, I didn’t need to leave the house. He told me to stay home, but sometimes you don’t need money. You need knowledge. You need to get to know other women and how they live. Participating at the Center is a very, very big change for a woman.

What feedback has the Women’s Center received from its participants?

It has been very positive. Many women are grateful for the support provided at the Women’s Center. They are grateful for Father Greg, the Friends of San Lucas, and the donors, because they provide everything. Women now have the infrastructure and we provide all the materials they need to work. Everything is ready for them to work and learn.

The Women’s Center has become a place where women gain knowledge, grow economically, and realize their value. If you are interested in learning more about the situation of women in Guatemala and the Mission’s Women’s Center, please consider making a visit to the Mission. Click here to start planning your visit today.