The economic situation of these ex-refugees is desperate.  The men are traditionally corn farmers and the families live in subsistence agriculture.  When the men are not tending the fields some run small stores within in the village and others must travel outside the village to look for labor jobs on the construction of ate new highway or in the construction of new hotels in the north of the state near Mahahual or Cancun. A laborer might earn between 550-700 pesos ($55-70 us) per week, or 2200-2800 pesos ($220-280 US) per month if they are lucky enough to find such a job.

The role of the women is to take care of the family and household which is complicated by poor sanitation and low resources.  The money received from the sale of their crafts is in most cases the only income for the women.  One woman keeps bees from which she is able to sell a limited amount of honey and two others sell snacks to school children, but the income is very limited.  The income of the cooperative has fluctuated from a sizable amount one month to nothing for three months, depending on our ability to reach a market.  

The women have been advised to use the money to better the welfare of their family, to invest in nutritious food, medicines, and education.  Recently the women were asked to share with the group and the founder, how she has used her craft earnings of the past year.  They responded: children’s fever medication, uniform and inscription fees for school, a new table for the kitchen, medicine to treat gastritis (stomache ulcers), new shoes for the children, tithes and church offerings, transportation fees to Chetumal, government fees for voter registration, chicken (meat is a luxury) and more vegetables, a new roof!!!