Taxco el Viejo is a small village in the silver-rich, but arid, mountains of Guerrero state. Because of the dry soil, farming, and the occasional sale of a piece of jewelry, did not provide enough income to support a family. The Union Progresista Artesanal (UPA) jewelry cooperative was founded in 1987 by seven small farmers/artisans who made a commitment to the principles of cooperativism and set the following goals: 1) to raise family incomes by producing and marketing their products collectively, 2) to promote community development projects, and 3) to share the principles of cooperation and self-improvement with others in their community. As a result of their newly-developed sense of collective and personal responsibility, coop members have organized village garbage collections, planted trees, and provide a health care fund for members. The cooperative has now grown to 17 members, fourteen men and three women.

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