My IE presentation for the express yourself section of the application.

1. Reflect on a personal accomplishment which has
helped you develop your understanding of yourself
or the world around you.

2. My personal accomplishment
At the start of my gap year, I knew that I wanted to take up every opportunity
that was given to me. Going to Guatemala was one of them.
The London based startup TITANA belts, founded by two inspiring Spanish
and Guatemala women offered me an opportunity which I couldn't give up.
TITANA is a London based belt brand which aims to empower artisan
woman in remote areas in Alta Verapaz Guatemala. TITANA’S goal is to
directly support women with fair wages and empower them to strive for a
better future, improve their community and their children's lives. TITANA
belts are woven in backstrap looms by female artisans in remote villages in
Alta Verapaz, Guatemala.
I have done work experience with them throughout my sixth form years so
this September the two entrepreneurs gave me the opportunity to join them
on an 8 day trip to visit the artisan women in Guatemala. It was a nerve
wrecking decision as I had never done anything like it before and I do not
consider myself as wildly brave so this experience was way out of my
comfort zone. Similarly, living within a remote village in Guatemala in a local
home with little connection to the outside world was slightly unsettling.
However, as my headmistress always encourage, i did it scared.
Image of me entering my new home
for the week

3. Helped develop my understanding of the world around me - perspective
Living with this group of artisan woman in Guatemala,
taught me more than I could ever imagine. The artisans
that work for TITANA and their families live in one house
in a hidden valley near to the village of Coban.
In my time with them, they showed me what their day to
day life is like. They have a very slow paced, tranquil
lifestyle where they weave TITANA belts in the morning,
cook the meals and play with the children. They get their
electricity by solar panels, grow their food in the fields
and are completely self reliant plus their income from
TITANA. They have the few necessary possessions
needed and are yet so happy and grateful with what that
have.
Image of me giving the artisans some
supplies and materials for their weaving
which we brought from London

4. In London, materialistic environments are created
which tend to prioritise individual success and
consumerism, however this experience has
highlighted the value placed on community, shared
resources, and collective well-being. Witnessing the
daily challenges faced by the families in these
communities, such as rationing out hot water in order
to ensure that there will be enough for all has made
me appreciate the privileges and opportunities in my
life.
This new perspective has enhanced my gratitude and
commitment to social responsibility.

5. Image of their daily meals, the geese is killed by the men of
the house and is cooked by the woman, reminding myself of
the traditional role of men and woman in the household
which are maintained in practice in Guatemala
Image of the two founders and I with the weavers

6. The founders have taken the risk of putting their trust on this group
of women artisans to create their products. They have had to make
their product stand out in the market by enforcing the idea that their
belts are entirely sustainable as they are hand made and reaching
out to the correct consumer group that will appreciate the
craftsmanship and dedication put into each of these belts as it is
then reflected on the price. This experience has developed my
understanding of the goals that entrepreneurs have which could be
potential ambitions of mine if I have a career in business.
Helped develop my understanding of the world around me - difficulties
faced in the world of work
This experience has not only developed my perspective and understanding of world
but also enhanced my understanding of the business world. Working side by side with
a team of entrepreneurs has developed my understanding of the world of
entrepreneurs and the ambitions that entrepreneurs have.
Image of a TITANA belt.

7. Culture shocks
On the way back from Coban, the area where the woman artisans are based we were faced with an 10 hour car
ride, which was suppose to be 3, due to the “bloqueos”.
Image of a Bloqueo from Prensa Libre,
October 2, 2023
The Bloqueos in Guatemala occur when indigenous tribes protest
along the main roads of the country until their demands are met.
Whilst we were there the indigenous tribe from the province of
totonicapan blocked off the main routes to the north west of the
country and protested starting midnight in front of the prosecutors
office in Guatemala City. The main reason of their protest was to
demand the resignation of the attorney general, Consuelo Porras
Argueta. These roads blocks affected thousands in the country,
delaying food distribution, tourism and transport. These blockages
lasted 10 days as more indigenous tribes joined in the protest. This
was shocking to see as in London many heavily controversial
demonstrations are managed by the police to ensure that the
protests are controlled at all times. This unorganised, political mess
was nothing like I have seen ever before which heavily broadened
my understanding of the world around me.

8. Global Issues
The little concern for the environment really stood out for me in Guatemala. The majority of
people buy cheap petrol cars from the south of the USA and drive them into Guatemala. There
are very few pedestrian pathways and the heavy, chaotic traffic on the roads makes it difficult
for cycling to be an option. Coming from a very eco friendly city, London, the air pollution was
intense and is bound to increase in the future as the passenger cars market is projected to
grow by 4.28% from 2023 - 2027.
We asked a few locals on their opinion on climate change and they simply responded by
saying that they do not believe that it exists. The constant stressful, loud chaos on the road is
seen as normal by the locals. Speaking to the locals about this issue made me doubt myself if
the efforts being put to be sustainable in London are worth it. As much as we try to reduce
emissions in Europe, those in Central America do not seem to take it into account.
Image of Guatemalan air pollution from
CNN

9. Perspective on privilege
The head weaver Ana Maria had a little girl called Josefine. She was 5 years old and is
bound to become a proud weaver just like her mother. We brought her and her cousins
presents and gifts as they do not go to school until they are 8 years old, so the majority
of their days are spent walking around the houses of each family of weavers and
admiring their mothers work on the backloom. Josefine in particular stood out to me as
she was so proud of her home, she would show me where her mum, dad and herself
all slept in one flimsy mattress and was beyond proud of her neon trainers that were
gifted to her on her birthday. As she would show me her house, she would be so
attentive in ensuring that every light was turned off as soon as we left each room.
These small details stood out to me and reminded me of how grateful we should be for
having electricity.
Similarly, in their house, they had a statue of the virgin Mary with candles and written
prayers. Josephine would tell me how the christian regiolion and prayers to the virgin
Mary is a daily part of their families life. This reminded me of the power that religion
has in uniting people all over the world, as myself being a Christian could share the
many Christians values that Josephine and my family share. Despite the world being so
vast, religion is such a powerful force which can unite millions.
Image of Josephine
proudly showing me her
home

10. Image of Josefine and myself as she showed me her
new toys that we had brought her
Image of the Virgin Mary Statue and prayers in the
artisans home