Giving Tuesday with Fundamaya — In Honor of Sharon Smart’s Amazing Legacy, our co-founder of Fundamaya

This year has been one of deep loss for all of us at Fundamaya. With the passing of our beloved Sharon Smart, we are modifying our Giving Tuesday campaign due to Sharon passing away on October-4-2025.. We here at Fundamaya are continuing forward — in her honor — to keep doing the good work she devoted her life to.

Giving Tuesday is an annual global day of generosity that takes place on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. It’s a time when people around the world come together to make a difference.

For Fundamaya Giving Tuesday 2025, our goal is to raise *$30,000 USD* before Thanksgiving to support one of Sharon’s favorite projects — our Sewing Program.

Fundamaya's goal is to sew 2000 blouses, where we’ll be able to visit seven communities to gift these traditional blouses for free to those who would otherwise not have access to them.

Sharon started this program before Fundamaya existed in 1986. She believed that women were able to sew and become professional Tailors, small business owners, but when she came to Guatemala, there were only men who knew how to sew and were tailors. Her vision was to have women learn and become professional Tailors but also be empowered and start a business for themselves to earn a wage and sustain their family. The sewing program provides handmade blouses that are a substitute for an expensive huipil, which are traditionally used by young girls, women, and the elderly in our communities.

These blouses are not just clothing — they are a symbol of identity, culture, and pride. Each one is woven with love, skill, and the spirit of Maya tradition. By supporting this project, you’re helping to preserve culture, empower women, share dignity and beauty with those who need it most.

This year, 14 classes of graduates will be creating these blouses! We are selecting some women who are most in need of work — and the beautiful part is that they’ll be using the sewing machines they received at graduation.

This incredible opportunity was made possible thanks to our partners Global Legacy Programs and the Community Church of Poway, whose generosity continues to make an amazing difference!

Every donation — big or small — helps us honor Sharon’s memory and keep Fundamaya’s mission alive. We hope to be able to accomplish our goal, if not we will only be able to give the amount received.

Donate today and help us reach our $30,000 goal before Thanksgiving! You can also Donate to the General Fund, where most needed!

Please watch our video and learn about the Trajes Tipicos properly called Indumentaria Maya

Together, let’s celebrate generosity, culture, and love — the way Sharon always did.