Technology and Training | Intentions + Expectations

Mercado Global believe:

“[…] reducing the digital gap in the education of artisans and their children entails taking actions to improve access to technology and the capacities to use it at the household level […] Access is achieved by providing technological infrastructure to artisans, which can include tablets and laptops for educators [going] hand in hand with training community educators on the administrative and pedagogical use of ICTs […]”

The organization utilised their research funding to increase their digital capacity through the purchase and distribution of ten tablets within the artisan communities, the purchase of a desktop computer and delivery of training. In doing so, the organization aimed to:

• Develop the personal and collective skills of artisans by enabling connection with a variety of training relating to health, wellbeing and technical skills.

• Attain artisan business empowerment through the development of minimum skills and the use of digital platforms.

• Increase income through access to digital platforms for marketing and promotion.

• Enhance the organization’s ability to collect, retain and evaluate data from their fieldwork.

Provision of Technological Infrastructure | Delivery + Implementation

The desktop computer was installed at Mercado Global’s Panajachel office to be used as a hub for the delivery of the company’s online training programs, the creation of digital training content and to enhance the Community Development Team’s ability to monitor and evaluate their activities.  

Four tablets were allocated to the Mercado Global Community Development Team, with four community leaders receiving hands-on training in device use and photography techniques for the recording of products and processes. This subsequently allowed the women to co-ordinate and deliver training in local languages to the artisans in their communities.

Six tablets were distributed to artisan groups to allow them to engage with Mercado Global’s education programs and online training modules. Recipient artisan groups were selected based on internet connectivity and existing levels of digital literacy within their communities. The tablets remain in the communities as a means of “start[ing] the process of integrating technology into the lives of artisan women”.

Seventy of Mercado Global’s partners – artisans and community leaders – directly participated in training. This represents 7% of the company’s artisans. Furthermore, on-going use of devices is resulting in the proliferation of skills and experience across community groups as the women become more familiar and comfortable with the tablets and share their knowledge with others.

Provision of Technological Infrastructure | Outcomes + Impacts

By training community leaders, they in turn train artisans within their communities, with devices now being used for data storage, communication and as an online training tool. The “train the trainers” approach provides scalability and flexibility to meet community needs and adapt to cultural sensitivities.

Although the training proved more time-consuming than anticipated, in the short-term device and training provision has improved artisan confidence and skills, and the artisans have demonstrated an interest in learning how to enhance their own digital capabilities and maximise use of the tablets. Measurable impacts include increased taking and sharing of photographs by the artisans – in 2019 Mercado Global received 588 photographs taken by community members, since training this has risen to over 2,250 annually.

From an artisan perspective, they were “excited” and “impressed” by the tablet provision. 23-year-old artisan, Sulma Erika Sisimit Luc, says that she is:

“[…] happy because we’ve never had one before so, I use it for training sessions, taking photos and video.”

In addition to using the devices for business and entrepreneurship-related activities - invoicing, photography, training and attending meetings - they have also been utilised by family members to access “virtual school classes”. Mercado Global recognise the potential for indirect literacy development for those artisans “who do not have reading and writing skills”. 

“We want to start the process of integrating technology into the lives of artisan women little by little and in the way they want. We can do this between the introduction of easy technology like tablets and see where this can bring us.” 

Future Potential

“When women are provided with the tools and opportunities, they need to be successful, they reach their full potential and help those around them to do the same.”

In the long-term Mercado Global envisages increased income from marketing and promotion, and personal and community skills development leading to business empowerment. Furthermore, by opening-up the possibilities of technology for the artisans as independent entrepreneurs, Mercado Global hope that the women will explore the benefits of the web and access information for themselves. However, they acknowledge the “need to keep investing in training for our team” for their digital literacy programme to reach its full potential. As such, they intend to leverage the effectiveness of this (NTU funded) project to raise further funds for the implementation of a “broader, more holistic project focussed on integrating technologies into our programs and communities.”

[1] Fieldwork was undertaken by Townsend and Piper between 2018 and 2020, where they visited organizations and textile artisans working in the Lake Atitlán region.