Itza Wood is a social enterprise with the goal of providing education, enterprise, and conservation to the Petén region of Northern Guatemala through the sale of handcrafted wooden gifts. To date, Itza Wood has planted over 45,000 trees to combat deforestation in the area, and its products are only made with wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
Eight woods — teak, catalox, chechen, grandillo, jobillo, gesmo, pixi, and ziricote — are all unique to the Guatemalan jungle and are used to make handcrafted wooden gifts. With great attention to detail and design, Itza Wood is committed to ensuring its tropical forest known as the Mayan biosphere, remains standing for generations to come.
All sales of these handcrafted wooden gifts help to support The Jungle School, an initiative that, for nearly 20 years, has brought education to kids from nine different villages in the Petén jungle region.
On any school day, through the sun and heat, 400 happy voices can be heard. Girls and boys start in kindergarten and stay all the way through high school learning math, science, English, and computer skills. The vast majority of students are the first in their families to complete school and are being prepared to pursue opportunities in the global workforce.
At Peace by Piece International, we are inspired by the commitment of the staff and woodworkers at Itza Wood. Every day, they strive to build a brighter future for the youth of northern Guatemala.
About The Jungle School
Itza Wood’s workshop is situated on the campus of The Jungle School, an initiative that for nearly 20 years has brought education to children from 9 villages in the Petén Jungle region. Each wood product sold by Itza Wood helps support the school. On any school day, through the sun and heat, 400 happy voices can be heard. Girls and boys start in kindergarten and stay all through high school learning math, science, English, and computer skills. The vast majority of students are the first in their families to complete school – all being prepared to pursue opportunities in the global workforce.
