Posts Tagged ‘Morocco’

The uncertain future of FairMail morocco

Monday, March 18th, 2013
FairMail Morocco teenagers in action in November 2012

FairMail Morocco teenagers in action in November 2012

Unfortunately FairMail has had to decide to not continue with the photography classes in Morocco for the time being. This despite the great photographs being made, the very motivated and talented teenagers, the smooth cooperation with the local NGO’s and the great response by the local community. So why did we take this decision?

When we started FairMail in Morocco in October 2012 we were still not sure if the sale of FairMail pictures and cards would grow sufficiently the coming months to be able to sustainably finance the new operations, plus earn enough money to pay for the educational needs of the new teenagers. Positive minded as we are and with start-up money secured by winning the ASN World Prize  we decided to try anyway. With hope for positive sales developments in the Netherlands, France, Germany and the UK. To be sure we wouldn’t create unrealistic expectations we explained to the teenagers that we would conduct a 2 month pilot project and evaluate in February 2013 if we could sustainably establish FairMail Morocco or not.

The development of sales, although still growing, did not grow as we expected. This put us in a dilemma: either continue with more teenagers from Morocco but diluting the earnings of the current teenagers in Peru and India or decide not to extend the cooperation with the new Moroccan teenagers so the teenagers in Peru and India would not see their income affected. In the end we choose for the second option as the “least bad option”. Mainly because due to FairMail some teenagers in Peru and India have just started expensive education. We would feel horrible if they wouldn’t be able to finish due to their funds running out, only because we felt the urge to “increase FairMail’s impact”. So instead of deciding to increase the quantity of FairMail’s impact to more teenagers we decided to secure the quality of FairMail’s impact to our current teenagers.

One of the four first Moroccan FairMail cards now on the market

One of the four first Moroccan FairMail cards now on the market

So what does this mean for the Moroccan teenagers? We told them last week and of course they were disappointed (but also happy with their first cards!). We told them they cannot submit new pictures to FairMail, but we will keep trying to sell the pictures they already made. Of course they will still receive 50% of the profits made. With no overhead office costs in Morocco we believe there will be nice profits for them. We have made arrangements that they can receive their share of the profits to spend on their education when they want to. And that we can keep control that they actually spend it on education like we promise on our cards.

All in all not a nice development at all and one of the sadder decisions we have had to make. We hope however that our current and future customers will make it possible to return to Morocco in the future and work with the great existing potential there!

FairMail founders Peter and Janneke will remain in Morocco until May 2013 to finish things off and run FairMail’s international office on-line. After that they will focus again on production in Peru, India and international sales.

Tags:
Posted in FairMail, Morocco | No Comments »

Meet the Moroccan teenagers

Wednesday, December 12th, 2012
Meet the Moroccan FairMail teenagers

Meet the Moroccan FairMail teenagers

So who are the teenagers FairMail has trained the past 2 months, what is their background and what are their dreams? All 9 of them are now featured in the “Photographers” section of the FairMail website with their picture, auto-biography, best pictures and the option to connect with them via e-mail. Read more about them by clicking here.

With the 9 new teenagers in Morocco FairMail has passed the “50 mark” with currently 52 teenagers in Peru, India and Morocco who have been trained in photography and are earning money through the sale of their pictures

Tags: ,
Posted in FairMail, Morocco | No Comments »

First photography exposition Morocco a big success

Wednesday, December 12th, 2012
FairMail Exposition

FairMail Exposition

After just 2 months of photography training the new teenagers of FairMail Morocco organized their first ever photography exhibition in Essaouira. With the theme of the exhibition being “My Essaouira” we asked the teenagers to take pictures of what was the most important thing in their daily lives in Essaouira. This way giving the visitors a unique inside view into the lives of the teenagers and what is important for them.

The teenagers presenting themselves

The teenagers presenting themselves

Chaima for example took great pictures of the fishing port where her father and brother earn the family income by buying and selling sardines. The port also plays an important role for Monim as he cleans the fishing boats before they are painted and gives the money to his mother as his father had a deadly accident several years ago. Other teenagers like Ibtissam, Hajiba and Badre choose to document the important work that their associations do to help teenagers like them to stay in school, have decent food to eat, clothes to wear and lead a tranquil life. The most popular pictures where the ones taken of the cats living in the port and in the ancient medina, taken by Joued and Fatimezahra respectively.

Abdallah showing his pictures

Abdallah showing his pictures

In total the teenagers sold 72 pictures to the visitors. As during the exhibition 100% of the earnings went directly into the teenager’s private education fund they earned 10.000 dirham (about 900 euro) to invest in their futures.

The highlight for the teenagers was presenting themselves to the 100 people who attended the opening night and speaking in public for the first time. Which we think they did great, leaving the visitors very impressed. Equally impressive for the teenagers was when the national television station 2M showed up to interview four of the teenagers when making an item about FairMail’s pilot project in Morocco.

Monim being interviewed for the national television

Monim being interviewed for the national television

An online display of the exhibition pictures can be found here.

On-line viewing of the Moroccan TVcan be found here. The item about FairMail starts after 23 minutes and 45 seconds.

Tags: ,
Posted in FairMail, Morocco | No Comments »

MyEssaouira

Saturday, October 27th, 2012
The FairMail Morocco Teenagers

The FairMail Morocco Teenagers

– In ENGLISH BELOW –

Fondée en 2006, FairMail est une entreprise de commerce équitable qui produit des carte de vœux, réalisées en Inde et au Pérou, par des adolescents en situation de pauvreté.  La mission de FairMail est d’offrir un meilleur avenir à l’ensemble de ces adolescents, qu’ils construisent eux même en développant : leur créativité (au travers de la photographie) et leur confiance en eux (grâce à cette expérience professionnelle, leurs nouvelles compétences et en créant leur propre produit). Ils choisissent ainsi leur futur en toute conscience. Avec l’argent qu’ils gagnent au sein de FairMail, ils financent leur éducation qui leur permettra de réaliser leur rêve.  

En 2012, FairMail a décidé d’introduire son programme dans un troisième pays : le Maroc. Après trois semaines de voyage prospectif en février, la décision a été prise de s’installer à Essaouira. Un projet pilote a ainsi commencé en travaillant avec les adolescents défavorisés des associations Bayti, Au Cœur de l’Amitié et Dar At Talib. Les adolescents suivent deux leçons par semaine, avec en option une leçon privée additionnelle. Le démarrage de FairMail Maroc a été très dynamique, avec des adolescents qui sont déjà en train de produire des photos dans un délai très court !

Le 24 novembre se tiendra l’exposition “Mon Essaouira” montrant Essaouira à travers le regard des adolescents et ainsi, une perspective unique de la ville. Vous êtes invités à venir découvrir leur travail et à rencontrer les 9 jeunes artistes à la soirée d’ouverture le 24 novembre 2012.

L’exposition se déroulera du 26 novembre au 01 décembre 2012. Si vous n’avez pas la possibilité d’être présent lors de la soirée d’ouverture, les adolescents vous proposent de venir voir leur travail pendant cette semaine.

Toutes les photos des adolescents sont en vente. 100% de l’argent récolté va directement à l’adolescent(e) qui a pris la photo, pour financer son éducation.

 ‘MON ESSAOUIRA’

 à

Dar Souiri

2 Avenue du Caire, Essaouira

Soirée d’ouverture  – samedi 24 novembre de 19h à 21h

Exposition du  lundi 26 novembre au samedi 01 décembre de 9h-12h, 15h-19h

How to find Dar Souiri?
How to find Dar Souiri?

– IN ENGLISH –

FairMail, founded in 2006, is a company producing fair trade greeting cards with photos made in Peru and India by local underprivileged teenagers. FairMail’s mission is to offer opportunities for a better future to the teenagers, which they THEMSELVES create; by developing their creativity (through photography) and their self-esteem (through job experience, new skills and having their own product) so that they can choose their future paths more consciously.  With the money they earn in FairMail they can finance the education they need to realize these futures.

In 2012 FairMail decided to introduce the program to a third country, Morocco, and after a 3 week orientation trip in February, it was decided to open its doors in Essaouira and begin a pilot project working with underprivileged teenagers from Bayti, Au Couer de l’Amitie and Dar At Talib.  The teenagers have two group lessons and the option of a further private lesson per week. It has been an exciting start to FairMail Morocco with the teenagers already producing great photographs in such a short time.

On the 24th November we are hosting ‘My Essaouira’, an exhibition of the teenagers’ photographs showing Essaouira through their eyes, giving a unique perspective to their city. You are invited to watch their work and meet the young artists themselves on their Opening Night on the 24th November 2012.  

The exhibition runs from 26th November to 1st December 2012, so if you are unable to make the Opening Night do visit another time, the teenagers would love you to see their work.

All the teenagers pictures are for sale. 100% of money goes directly to the teenager who took the picture for him or her to spend on their own education.

 

‘MY ESSAOUIRA’

 

at

 

Dar Souiri

2 Avenue du Caire, Essaouira

Opening Night  – Saturday 24th November 2012, 7pm – 9pm

Exhibition runs Monday 26th  November – Saturday 1st December 2012

9 am – 12 pm, 3pm – 7pm

How to find Dar Souiri?

How to find Dar Souiri?

Tags: ,
Posted in FairMail, Morocco | No Comments »

Photography lessons Morocco started

Monday, October 22nd, 2012
The FairMail Morocco Teenagers

The FairMail Morocco Teenagers

After the first 6 photography lessons we can now really state that FairMail Morocco has actually started. A group of 10 deprived local teenagers is getting free photography lessons three times a week and a digital camera to borrow.

On the 24th of November their pictures will be displayed to the world for the first time in a photography exhibit called “My Essaouira”. This photogenic Moroccan fishing village has been photographed by many international photographers. This will the first time that the local youth will show their own perspective on their village which will give an unique insight into their lives and what the different places in their village mean to them.

First class:

First class:

Two weeks after the exhibit the teenagers will receive an upfront payment of 500 dirham per pictures (about 50 euro) for their 20 best pictures which they can start to invest in their education. Hopefully these pictures will make it to FairMail postcards quickly so they can start to earn more. If this actually happens is very important for the future of FairMail Morocco in 2013. Only with a substantial growth of the sales will it be possible to employ the new teenagers on the long run. Without harming the earnings of the current teenagers in Peru and India, who after envisioning their dreams, are now working hard on making them reality. Because of this uncertainty the 10 teenagers (5 boys and 5 girls) received a temporary contract for 2 months. In the beginning of 2013 we will evaluate if FairMail’s sales has increased sufficiently to set up FairMail in Morocco definitely.

FairMail Morocco photographer Fatime zara in action

FairMail Morocco photographer Fatime zara in action

FairMail doesn’t do all the work in Morocco by itself. We cooperate with 3 local organizations that support underprivileged teenagers and put them forward to participate in FairMail:

FairMail is working together with 3 organizations here:

Au Coeur de l’Amitie, an organization that works with disadvantaged children by feeding them and providing an area for and help with schooling.  Each child gets a meal at lunchtime and something to eat after school before they go home.  They serve more than 30,000 hot meals per year to about 50 children.  They have very kindly given us a classroom to teach in on Saturdays.  We have four children from here – Hajiba (14, female), Badr (13, male), Chaima (14, female) and Fatimzara (14, female).

Founded in 1995, BAYTI, meaning my “home”, works with children in difficult situations – street kids, victims of economic or sexual exploitation, victims of violence and children from destitute backgrounds. The programme is for all children and families in difficulty needing protection, assistance, counseling and orientation. Our kids from Bayti are Ibtissam (14, female), Siham (15, female) and Mohammed (16, male). Unfortunately Mohammed stopped attending classes and is currently not participating any more.

Dar At Talib, meaning ‘House of the Student’, is a foundation that has been established to help local children continue with their studies, providing lodging, food, monitoring and tutoring. From Dar Attalib we have Jaoud (12, male), Abdallah (16, male) and Mounaim (15, male).

Tags: ,
Posted in FairMail, Morocco | No Comments »

FairMail founders Peter and Janneke on their way to Morocco!

Sunday, August 26th, 2012
Janneke ready to adapt to Moroccan society

Janneke ready to adapt to Moroccan society

By the time you read this FairMail founders Peter and Janneke will be well on their way to Morocco. In Peter’s grandmother’s old car, stashed with camera’s, computer’s, greeting cards and a card spinner they are on their way to drive the 3.800 kilometer from Amsterdam to Essaouira on the Moroccan Atlantic coast. In order to, if all goes well. to set up their third FairMail production unit.

Do you want to stay informed about their adventures then regularly check into their  Facebook and Tumblr page’s.

Tags: , ,
Posted in FairMail, Morocco | No Comments »

Important step for FairMail Morocco

Thursday, March 22nd, 2012
Janneke adapting to Morocco

Janneke adapting to Morocco

The decision is final: On the first of September 2012 FairMail Morocco will open its doors in the small Moroccan city of Essaouira. Peter and Janneke were able to make this decision listening to both their mind and their heart after their three week orientation visit to Morocco. During this period they visited 5 potential places and 10 potential local cooperation partners. Essaouira ended in first place in the end. Mainly because of the very good match with three local organisations that already work with “deprived teenagers”. They have committed themselves to help preselect suitable FairMail teenagers. These organisations work with street children, victims of sex tourism, children who are being exploited as workers by their parents and employers and children who belong to poor families from the historic medina.

The beautiful city of Essaouira

The beautiful city of Essaouira

Besides the suitable local partners the choice for Essaouira was also made because it is such an incredibly photogenic little city with miraculous light. The city is surrounded by a medieval wall, has a traditional and bustling medina, a very attractive fishing harbour and a beautiful long, wide beach (click here for a nice video about the place). Also in the direct surroundings enough places can be found for small photography excursions with the teenagers.

A meeting with Bayti, Morocco's leading street childre organization

A meeting with Bayti, Morocco

The coming months FairMail will prepare itself by learning Darija (Moroccan Arabic dialect), look for a local manager and an office. So on the first of September the photography classes can start. And then just hope and work hard that it won’t be long for the first Moroccan pictures can be found in shops printed on a FairMail card.

These good results would never have been possible without the (often spontanious) help of many very hospitable inhabitants of Morocco. A big “Shukran” goes out to Kauotar, Asmaa, Fairouz, Naima, Bedrredine, Malika, Ali, Saida, Hassan, Natalie, Amina, Jes and Paolo.

Click here for more pictures of the visit on FairMail’s facebook page.

Tags:
Posted in Morocco | No Comments »

FairMail Morocco wins the first prize, now what?

Monday, December 5th, 2011
Receiving the first prize of the ASN World Prize!

Receiving the first prize of the ASN World Prize!

During the night of sustainability we heard that FairMail Morocco won the first prize in the category “Against Childlabour”. After waiting in suspense for a couple of weeks we where very glad with this news! No we can really begin to work on making our dream realily: “Increasing FairMail’s impact by setting up a production unit is a muslim country!”. But after winning the prize, what do we do now?

On top of our priority list is finding a good local partner. We prefer a partner organisation that already works with “deprived teenagers”, in a photogenic place and sees the added value of cooperation with a social enterprise like FairMail. Up to now we have 5 potential parties (social worker in Marrakesh, orphanages in the Rif mountains, Casablanca and Atlas mountains and a community organisation in Sidi Ifni), but we are still looking for more good contacts. (Who knows anyone or organisations for us??)

Last week we had a very useful talk with two Dutch ladies  who are married with a Moroccan and live in Mohammedia (subburb of Casablanca). She has many good local contacts and guides foreigners who want to do business in Morocco. That made us very happy because we got many good tips and contacts. But we are still looking for more 🙂

In February FairMail founders Peter and Janneke will travel for a 3 week orientation visit to Morocco. We will visit the different organisations on our list to see if there is a match. According to our planning FairMail Morocco should start its operations in the summer of 2012.

Now on with studying Moroccan Arabic, Be-s-slama!

Tags:
Posted in Morocco | 2 Comments »

FairMail needs your vote to expand to Morocco!

Thursday, July 7th, 2011

Eind 2011 wil FairMail beginnen met het opzetten van een nieuwe productieafdeling in Marokko. En ook daar, net als in Peru en India, 10 kansarme tieners in dienst nemen en opleiden tot fotograaf.

Dit vergt een investering van minstens 10.000 euro aan camera’s, computers, kaartendruk, kantoor huur etc. Om het benodigde geld bij elkaar te verdienen doen we mee aan de ASN Bank Wereldprijs 2011.

Alleen als we genoeg stemmen krijgen verdienen we 10.000 euro in de categorie “Eerlijke Handel”.

Dus door te stemmen op het project FairMail Marokko maak je het mogelijk dat we meer tieners de kans geven om mbv. FairMail hun dromen waar te maken!

Hieronder lees je hoe je kunt stemmen.

1/ Klik op: http://www.voordewereldvanmorgen.nl/project/fairmail-faire-fotos-door-jongeren-marokko en druk op de groene “STEM” knop.

2/ Vul je naam en email adres in, klik dat je akkoord gaat met de voorwaarden en druk op “Profiel Aanmaken”.

3/ Je krijgt een bevestigingsmail in je mailbox.

4/ Klik vervolgens op de link in de mail om je aanmelding te bevestigen.

5/ Je komt vanzelf weer op de site van www.voordewereldvanmorgen.nl, vul twee keer hetzelfde wachtwoord naar keuze in en klik helemaal onderaan de pagina op “Opslaan”. (de andere informatie waar om gevraagd wordt hoef je niet op te geven)

6/ Ga boven in naar het tabblad “Acties” en klik op de rode knop “Bekijk Deze Actie” in het vierkant van de ASN Bank Wereldprijs 2011.

7/ Je kunt nu stemmen door in de derde categorie “Eerlijke Handel” te klikken op de groene knop “STEM” bij ons project: “FairMail: faire foto’s door jongeren in Marokko”. KLAAR!

8/ Door op de titel te klikken van het project, kom je op de project pagina met tekst en uitleg. Je kunt ook Fan worden. En zijn ook sociale netwerk knoppen die je kunt gebruiken om te laten zien dat je op FairMail gestemd hebt. En zo anderen aan te moedigen om ook op ons te stemmen. Hoe meer stemmen hoe groter de kans dat we echt naar Marokko kunnen!

Mocht je toch nog problemen hebben kun je mailen met team@voordewereldvanmorgen.nl of via twitter @VDWVM

Ontzettend bedankt voor je stem! Peter en Janneke

Tags: ,
Posted in FairMail, Morocco | 1 Comment »