Antigua, Guatemala
April 26 - May 3, 2025

Shear Advantage will be traveling to Antigua for its second workshop in April. Our workshops consist of a 5-day intensive haircutting program where we teach small groups of primarily women basic haircutting skills. This serves as a starting point for their new careers. Shear Advantage also offers monthly haircut training days through our connections with Stacey and Carrie, our stylists in Antigua. We are fortunate to have their expertise supporting our students between our workshop visits.

Below is some information on the four non-profits we will be working with in April:

El Patojismo
At El Patojismo, we are designing learning strategies to provide students with opportunities to develop knowledge and skills through engaging, useful, and relevant activities. These activities are designed to address the challenges and problems students may face in the world.

For more information, visit: El Patojismo

SERniña
We will work with SERniña at their community center in El Hato when we return in April. Our plan is to teach 6-8 women and help set up a small salon space for them to work from.

For more information, visit: SERniña

REALgirl Foundation
The REALgirl Foundation is dedicated to advancing gender equity and empowering girls and women by supporting their holistic healing and empowerment. Their vision is a world where individuals, families, and communities come together to ensure the safety and empowerment of girls and women, co-creating thriving societies based on equity, autonomy, and interconnectedness.

FUNcoli (Free Hearts Foundation)
We connected with FUNcoli through Georgian College, which sent Rena, one of their instructors, along with three students to volunteer with us during our last trip. Georgian College is a technical college located in Barrie, Ontario, Canada.

FUNcoli, also known as the Free Hearts Foundation, operates in the small village of Vuelta Grande, which is home to approximately 400 families. The village has no running water and limited access to resources outside the community. FUNcoli runs a small community center and school where they provide primary education in the mornings. In addition to their educational efforts, the organization offers health clinics and various support services for the local community. They were also able to dig a well on their property, which has provided the village with much-needed access to clean water.

Free Hearts Foundation

The mission of the Free Hearts Foundation is to provide health, education, and local development services to communities with limited resources, with the goal of promoting empowerment and development. Their vision is to provide organizational leadership in the design, promotion, and execution of programs and projects focused on health, education, and community development, specifically aimed at children, women, and men in resource-limited communities.

For more information, visit: Free Hearts Foundation

Pro ChipinA
Pro ChipinA offers various workshops for the women they serve, ranging from informational talks to skill-building sessions. One of the skills many women use to generate income is making worry dolls, a traditional craft from Guatemala. Pro ChipinA’s mission is to support single mothers by improving their children's lives. The organization addresses challenges such as chronic malnutrition and disease while ensuring access to quality education. They also offer vocational training and affordable housing, empowering single mothers to create better futures for themselves and their children.

For more information, visit: Pro ChipinA