| Frequently Asked Questions |
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| Synergo Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Copyright © 2010 Synergo Arts. All rights reserved. |
| 2006 Tech Award |
| 2007 interview |
| Pilot Project Team |
| Design Team |
| traditional kneeling posture |
FAQ - About Synergo Arts
We welcome your ideas and comments. For more information or to contribute questions, please get in touch!
FAQ - Bench Project
Q: Does Synergo Arts have employees?
A:
Q: What is Synergo Arts’ role in this project?
Q: Are there opportunities for volunteers?
The organization is operated entirely by volunteers. Our core team of 8
includes the 6-member Board of Directors.
includes the 6-member Board of Directors.
A:
A:
Yes! If you have skills you’d like to share through volunteer service, please let us know!
Synergo Arts’ role is educational. We developed a start-up kit and technical support to help carpenters learn
to make the bench, and a train-the-trainer program to help weavers learn to use it. Through outreach
activities we seek to help local communities build their own infrastructure for fabrication, distribution,
promotion, training and micro-finance, so that they are not dependent on outside support.
to make the bench, and a train-the-trainer program to help weavers learn to use it. Through outreach
activities we seek to help local communities build their own infrastructure for fabrication, distribution,
promotion, training and micro-finance, so that they are not dependent on outside support.
Q: What’s included in the carpenters’ start-up kit?
A:
The kit includes templates, engineering diagrams, educational DVD, sample bench, promotional poster, and
weaver training materials.
weaver training materials.
Q: Where is the bench made?
A:
Using our start-up kit, local carpenters in Guatemala started the process of setting up shop to make benches
in September 2009. Participating carpenters will make the benches under their own brand and set their own
prices. As they become established, we will post their contact information.
in September 2009. Participating carpenters will make the benches under their own brand and set their own
prices. As they become established, we will post their contact information.
Q: Is the bench available in North America?
A:
Synergo Arts is actively looking for someone to make the bench in the USA. There are many backstrap
weavers from Asia and Latin America who are living in the USA and Canada as refugees, and we would like
the bench to become available to them. We are encouraging a “buy one/give one” program be offered by
whoever makes the bench in North America.
weavers from Asia and Latin America who are living in the USA and Canada as refugees, and we would like
the bench to become available to them. We are encouraging a “buy one/give one” program be offered by
whoever makes the bench in North America.
Q: How much does the bench cost?
A:
The price of the bench will be set by the local makers and distributors.
Q: Is financing available?
A:
Synergo Arts is networking with micro-lending organizations to pave the way for carpenters and weavers in
Latin America to apply for microcredit. We are also providing outreach to humanitarian and fair trade
organizations who may want to help weavers obtain the bench.
Latin America to apply for microcredit. We are also providing outreach to humanitarian and fair trade
organizations who may want to help weavers obtain the bench.
Q: Who designed the bench?
A:
Ergonomist Karen Piegorsch collaborated with woodworker Glenn Smith to create the design for the bench
during a pilot project that was facilitated in Guatemala by Oxlajuj B’atz’.
during a pilot project that was facilitated in Guatemala by Oxlajuj B’atz’.
Q: What about intellectual property; is the bench design patented?
A:
Rather than patenting the design, Piegorsch and Smith put the bench design in the public domain by
registering it with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Their goal was to help ensure that the bench could
be copied freely for the benefit of all backstrap weavers around the world.
registering it with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Their goal was to help ensure that the bench could
be copied freely for the benefit of all backstrap weavers around the world.
Q: What’s the history of the pilot project?
A:
Prior to the formation of Synergo Arts, a pilot project was conducted by Synergo LLC with Guatemalan
organizations Oxlajuj B'atz' (OB), Mayan Hands and Maya Traditions, from May 2005 to February 2007.
Working on a pro bono basis with Glenn Smith during the pilot project, Karen Piegorsch designed the bench
and training programs. The core team from OB that facilitated the pilot project consisted of Herlinda Tzep,
Ramona Kirschenman, and Juana Ramos. The pilot project involved a participatory process that was
initiated in response to interest from within the indigenous community, where women had been looking for
alternatives to their traditional kneeling posture.
organizations Oxlajuj B'atz' (OB), Mayan Hands and Maya Traditions, from May 2005 to February 2007.
Working on a pro bono basis with Glenn Smith during the pilot project, Karen Piegorsch designed the bench
and training programs. The core team from OB that facilitated the pilot project consisted of Herlinda Tzep,
Ramona Kirschenman, and Juana Ramos. The pilot project involved a participatory process that was
initiated in response to interest from within the indigenous community, where women had been looking for
alternatives to their traditional kneeling posture.
Q: What special role has Juana Ramos played in this project?
A:
Juana Ramos, an experienced community educator and weaver from San Jorge La Laguna, Guatemala, has
continued to collaborate with Synergo Arts since the pilot project. She has played a major role in ensuring the
cultural appropriateness of our training materials. We are grateful for her dedication to helping women
artisans learn to use the bench.
continued to collaborate with Synergo Arts since the pilot project. She has played a major role in ensuring the
cultural appropriateness of our training materials. We are grateful for her dedication to helping women
artisans learn to use the bench.
Q: What is traditional backstrap weaving like?
A:
The weaver rocks back and forth to adjust the tension on the cloth throughout the weaving process. In effect,
her body becomes integrated with the loom, and while the loom itself is quite simple, the weaving process is
dynamic and sophisticated.
her body becomes integrated with the loom, and while the loom itself is quite simple, the weaving process is
dynamic and sophisticated.
Q: How does using the ergonomic bench help backstrap weavers?
A:
Unlike the traditional methods, the ergonomic bench works in harmony with the weaver’s body. It rocks with
the rhythm of her movement as she weaves on the backstrap loom. The height of the specially-shaped,
padded seat can be adjusted to fit the individual weaver. Because it’s adjustable, the bench can be shared
by other weavers in the family or community. An interlocking footrest provides leverage and stability.
the rhythm of her movement as she weaves on the backstrap loom. The height of the specially-shaped,
padded seat can be adjusted to fit the individual weaver. Because it’s adjustable, the bench can be shared
by other weavers in the family or community. An interlocking footrest provides leverage and stability.
Q: What are Mayan women saying about the bench?
A:
What used to take me three days to weave now takes two.
Q: Has this project received any awards?
A:
This project has been recognized with a 2006 Tech Award from the Tech Museum of Innovation's Award
Program for Technology Benefiting Humanity, and the 2007 User-Centered Design Award from the Human
Factors and Ergonomics Society's Product Design Technical Group.
Program for Technology Benefiting Humanity, and the 2007 User-Centered Design Award from the Human
Factors and Ergonomics Society's Product Design Technical Group.
During the course of the pilot project it became obvious that, although the design is purposefully simple,
precision woodworking and a basic understanding of the ergonomic features of the design are necessary to
copy the bench well. To help meet this need, Synergo Arts developed educational resources. The
educational resources created by Synergo Arts are copyrighted.
precision woodworking and a basic understanding of the ergonomic features of the design are necessary to
copy the bench well. To help meet this need, Synergo Arts developed educational resources. The
educational resources created by Synergo Arts are copyrighted.
From the pilot project there are already 150 women in Guatemala using the bench to protect their health and
increase their ability to provide for their families!
increase their ability to provide for their families!
"Ergonomics has brought me great personal benefits, both
physical and mental. I’ve had the opportunity to train many
women weavers in Guatemala to use the ergonomic bench
correctly. I’m very interested in being able to continue
helping other women in the world reduce the fatigue and
pain that their bodies endure while weaving. Then they
will be better able to appreciate their own efforts, talent,
and skills as they carry on their craft." (translated)
physical and mental. I’ve had the opportunity to train many
women weavers in Guatemala to use the ergonomic bench
correctly. I’m very interested in being able to continue
helping other women in the world reduce the fatigue and
pain that their bodies endure while weaving. Then they
will be better able to appreciate their own efforts, talent,
and skills as they carry on their craft." (translated)
“Para mi la ergonomía me ha servido mucho, físico y
mentalmente. Tuve la oportunidad de capacitar a muchas
mujeres tejedoras de Guatemala para darles el uso correcto
del banquillo ergonómico. Tengo mucho interés en poder
ayudar a más mujeres en el mundo para reducir el
cansancio y el dolor de su cuerpo al tejer, y para que ellas
puedan valorar el trabajo y esfuerzo que realizan cuando
hacen su tejido.” -Juana Ramos
mentalmente. Tuve la oportunidad de capacitar a muchas
mujeres tejedoras de Guatemala para darles el uso correcto
del banquillo ergonómico. Tengo mucho interés en poder
ayudar a más mujeres en el mundo para reducir el
cansancio y el dolor de su cuerpo al tejer, y para que ellas
puedan valorar el trabajo y esfuerzo que realizan cuando
hacen su tejido.” -Juana Ramos
This ancient weaving tradition is very hard on the weaver’s body. Pain, numbness, and fatigue limit the length
of time a weaver can work, and are readily evident in how slowly and stiffly a weaver moves when she gets up
from the ground. Despite chronic, disabling symptoms associated with traditional work methods, women
tend to push their bodies through fatigue and pain in order to provide for their families. This pattern sets up a
vicious cycle which ultimately limits earning potential.
of time a weaver can work, and are readily evident in how slowly and stiffly a weaver moves when she gets up
from the ground. Despite chronic, disabling symptoms associated with traditional work methods, women
tend to push their bodies through fatigue and pain in order to provide for their families. This pattern sets up a
vicious cycle which ultimately limits earning potential.
I used to be able to weave for thirty minutes, then had to quit for the pain; now I can weave for three hours with
no pain.
no pain.
The cloth comes off the loom with straighter edges and more evenly packed weft, and it's cleaner because it’s
not so close to the ground while it’s being woven.
not so close to the ground while it’s being woven.
And from their daughters: I want a bench like my mother has now, so my body won't get the years of abuse
and pain that hers has.
and pain that hers has.
Q: Are there any videos that describe this project?
A:
An interview by Global X of Social Edge can be viewed on YouTube.
The Synergo Arts educational DVD for carpenters and weavers is available as a gift for our supporters.
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| Juana Ramos |
Our current plan for 2010 is to continue working with communities in Guatemala, and to begin the process of
working with communities in Mexico. Preliminary conversations for a project in Asia are also underway.
working with communities in Mexico. Preliminary conversations for a project in Asia are also underway.
In San Pedro on Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Mario Chavajay Navichoc makes the ergonomic bench at his family's shop, Carpinería San Pedro. If you speak
Spanish or Tzutujil you can contact Mario directly by phone at 5623 2145. It's best to call around 1:30PM local
time. If you need to communicate in English you can use email to relay messages to Mario through his friend
and colleague Barbara Ancheta, at barbara.atlin@gmail.com.
Mario Chavajay Navichoc makes the ergonomic bench at his family's shop, Carpinería San Pedro. If you speak
Spanish or Tzutujil you can contact Mario directly by phone at 5623 2145. It's best to call around 1:30PM local
time. If you need to communicate in English you can use email to relay messages to Mario through his friend
and colleague Barbara Ancheta, at barbara.atlin@gmail.com.