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Posts Tagged ‘Peru’

FairMail on national television

Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013

A few weeks ago FairMail was featured in the new Dutch television program “Grensverleggers”. The national business TV channel is covering Dutch entrepreneurs running their social enterprises abroad to create social impact.

The 12 minute episode about FairMail shows the teenagers taking pictures for Ben & Jerry’s corporate Christmas cards on the beach, travelling on a photography trip into the Peruvian jungle and one of the FairMail founders trying to convince 15 year old Clever to stop working, earn money with FairMail and go back to school. Would he succeed do you think?

Have a look at the entire episode here:

http://www.rtlxl.nl/#!/grensverleggers-rtl-z-297690/c0cdd2bd-3eca-398d-bf3e-8845dbd41e8a

Tags: child labor, corporate cards, garbage dump, in the media, Peru, photography travels, teenagers, television
Posted in FairMail, Peru | No Comments »

New FairMail documentary: From Dump to Diploma

Sunday, September 15th, 2013

Next week FairMail will be on Dutch National Television in the new “Groundbreaker” television series. This week we can offer you the new “From Dump to Diploma” video which came out 3 weeks ago.

This new 8 minute documentary tells the story of FairMail Peru photographers Yuli and Yomira. How they had to work at a young age recycling garbage to supplement their families small income before they started taking pictures for FairMail. The new documentary gives insight into their daily activities for FairMail and how it has impacted their lives. Not only through the earnings from the sale of their cards to invest in their own education. But also in their personal development and the mindset needed to really achieve their goals.

A unique and inspirational documentary of hope and determination! Check it out below.

Tags: education, garbage dump, impact, Peru, photography classes, results, social impact, video, yomira, yuli
Posted in FairMail, Peru | No Comments »

New video and information session photography trips to Peru and India

Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013

Working together on new FairMail Cards during the trip

The team of FairMail India just returned from their first photography trip to Uttarakhand in the Indian Himalaya’s accompanied by 4 photographers from Belgium and the Netherlands.

With this link you can watch the video of their trip among the mountains, lakes and temples of the Himalaya’s while taking pictures for the new FairMail cards.

For all of those interested in learning more about the 5 planned trips to Peru and India in 2013 and 2014 FairMail is organizing an information session on the 25 th of May in Oegstgeest the Netherlands from 15.00 till 17.00.

For more information or to register please click here.

Below you can watch the video made during the last trip:

Tags: India, Peru, photography travels, video
Posted in FairMail, India, Peru | No Comments »

FairMail Peru office adapts to climate change

Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013

Jorge, Sebastian and Renato putting on the new roof

A fresh wind of change is also blowing through the FairMail office in Peru where the photography teaching area and storage room are being remodeled. Due to climate change the dessert city of Trujillo is now regularly hit by surprise rain showers neither the city nor the FairMail office where prepared for. The tent above the teaching area wasn’t giving enough protection anymore. Also the red glow it gave to all the pictures taken under the tarp had been a nuisance for a long time.

Part of the FairMail Peru team enjoying the new roof

So when, with the help of a donation from a photography traveler, the opportunity was there we decided to replace the tent with a decent and transparent plastic roof. This is now finished as you can see in the pictures with the new classroom only needing a new paint job. Thanks to the help of the teenagers who helped during the construction really making it their classroom again.

Next on the list, remodel the storage room

Next on the list is the construction of a professional photo studio in the former storage room. With FairMail’s changing business model towards concept and picture licensing instead of own card production the old storage room is no longer necessary. With the increased demand from our customers for “table top photography” in different greeting card themes we decided to change the storage room into a mini photo studio. The old shelves will be converted into glass tables letting through soft light on which we will place the new tabletop photo studio’s we bought with the help of a donation by Back Picture. We are also looking to install special lighting and increase the space so all the teenagers have enough space to let their creativity go wild.

We are very happy that now in Peru the teenagers can do what they do best under better circumstances and would like to thank Marlies Ketelaar and Back Picture for their valuable financial support in improving our production facilities. The Peruvian teenagers are very happy with their more professional photo studio.

Tags: environment, housing, office, Peru
Posted in FairMail, Peru | No Comments »

FairMail Peru photographer Elmer gives his family a safe house to live in

Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013

Elmer

Also looking very new is the house of ex-FairMail Peru photographer Elmer Machuca Chacon. When he turned 19 last year he not only left FairMail, but also the Mundo de Ninos boys home for ex-street children and moved back into his mother’s house in El Alto in Trujillo. The house he had left when he was 11 years old to roam on the streets (click here for the video about Elmer’s life back then).

El Alto is a new part of the city of Trujillo, lying on the sandy outskirts overlooking the city. Many of the newcomers to the city, looking for work they can’t find in the rural areas, squat a piece of land here to build their new home. Like Elmer’s mother 10 years ago. With a lot of poverty and little social cohesion El Alto is a dangerous part of Trujillo which Elmer himself encountered when he was robbed last January.

New doors placed in Elmer

To make sure he and his family are at least safe inside their house Elmer used part of his FairMail earnings to remodels his mother’s house. He bought new strong iron doors, barred windows and new locks. While installing the metal work in the walls of the house they re-did the front façade of the house in one go, giving it a fresh new look. Of the 50% profit that the teenagers earn they can spend a maximum of 25% to improve their family housing, this way giving their family a short term benefit too of their children’s participation in FairMail.

While they where at it they pimped up the front facade of the house

His family is very thankful for Elmer’s support, especially after his difficult youth. Mrs. Eva Maria, his mother, is very proud of her son and the results he is booking and thankful to the people who bought her son’s cards and pictures.

View the video made about Elmer’s life before he got into FairMail below:

Tags: elmer, housing, Peru, results, teenagers
Posted in FairMail, Peru | No Comments »

Information sessions about FairMail’s photography trips

Monday, February 4th, 2013

Helping out on a photography trip

Are you looking for an original holiday destination this year? Why not consider coming along on one of FairMail’s photography trips?

Travelling together with the FairMail teenagers to off-the-beaten-track destinations gives you a unique insight into real life in Peru and India. The good thing is you don’t only treat yourself to a great holiday, but also one of the teenagers who you sponsor with your booking.

Learn more by clicking here or participate in one of the two information sessions on the 9^th of February or the 25^th of May in the Netherlands.

For more information or to register for an information session click here.

Tags: India, Peru, photography travels
Posted in FairMail, India, Peru | No Comments »

Peruvian FairMail teenagers start own bakery business

Monday, February 4th, 2013

Patricia and Betty putting their cakes in the oven

Two of the Peruvian FairMail teenagers who left FairMail at the end of 2012 (due to reaching the age limit) have started on a new endeavor: starting a bakery business together.Patricia used her FairMail earnings to study gastronomy and with the help of one of FairMail’s partners ACJ she also followed a bakery course. Betty used her earnings to study business administration. With Patricia’s creativity and entrepreneurial spirit and Betty’s structured way of working and understanding of finances they could be the perfect match. We asked them how they came up with the idea and what they are up to:

How did you get the idea to start a cake bakery business?

Patty explains: “At first I wanted to start a restaurant in our home where all the mothers from the neighborhood could come and eat. But we didn’t have enough money to invest so we started selling snacks. Unfortunately that didn’t go very well. I also made cakes for me and my family now and then. The neighbors who would join us said the cakes where delicious and asked why we didn’t start to sell cakes. At home I have a small oven, but it is too small. But at a nearby NGO (ACJ El Milagro) they have a professional bakery kitchen and they let me use their oven. Also they helped me with a bakery course where I learned a lot of things which I am using now.”

Betty making some delicious dough

And how did you end up joining Betty?

Betty explains: “Patty asked me a long time ago if I wanted to help. She was looking for someone that could assist her, or would be her business partner. But at that time I had problems at home so I didn’t say yes then. But now I have decided to join her and now we do everything 50/50.”

So what is the name of your company?

“We don’t know yet unfortunately. All ideas are welcome!”

Check FairMail’s facebook to join in the online discussion and voting for a new name for Betty and Patty’s company.

How is business going for you now?

“At this moment we are baking about 10 cakes per week. We sell them at 10 soles (about 3 euro) while they cost us around 5 soles to make. It is a lot of work because we make the batter by hand. First we bought small amounts of ingredients, but now we have invested in buying a big bag of flower and sugar so the production price goes down and we make more profit. We also want to buy more cake molds as now we have only 4. We want to grow so we hope that everyone in the neighborhood knows about us soon and orders with us!”

Proud Patricia showing her soon-to-be-cak

Even though Patricia and Betty are no longer active as photographers for FairMail they keep earning money with the sale of their cards and photo’s. Over the coming months they will invest their earnings in their business. We wish Patricia and Betty all the best with their new endeavor and many more cakes to come!

Tags: betty, business, patricia, Peru, results, teenagers
Posted in FairMail, Peru | No Comments »

New Photography Trips to Peru and India available online

Wednesday, November 28th, 2012

FairMail Photography Trip

Will you be travelling next year with the Peruvian & Indian teenagers in search of the best pictures? The four trips for next year are now available online. Besides giving yourself a unique trip, you also give the same trip to one of the FairMail teenagers. That way giving them the opportunity to get to know their own country better and to take new pictures for their greeting cards.

On the 9th of February there is an information session at 15.00 in Oegstgeest (The Netherlands) for those who want to learn more. For more information or to register please contact us by clicking here.

FairMail Photography Trip

Tags: help, India, Peru, photography travels
Posted in FairMail, India, Peru | No Comments »

Trip report photography trip to Peruvian cloud forest

Monday, October 22nd, 2012

Taking coffee photo

In August a few of the FairMail teenager travelled to the Peruvian cloud forest to take pictures of the organic coffee harvest for the German Coffee producer Rapunzel. Below you can read the trip report by photographer Betty.

In 2013 4 photography trips to Peru and India are scheduled. Would you like to learn more? Then register for the information session on Saturday the 9th of February by clicking here.

What was the best part of the trip for you?

The best part of the trip is the coopration with the other photographers, volunteers and the people we meet during the trip. But also the beautiful places of our Peru that we get to know. And of course the most important: take many great pictures!

What did you like about the destination compared to where you live in Trujillo?

What I like so much about Sicches is the peace and quiet and the nature. But also the friendliness of the people who live in the small village and give us a place to stay in their house.

Betty taking pictures of organic sugar

Why would you like more foreigners to come on a trip with you in the future?

I would like more foreigners to travel with us so we can learn more from them. But also because they give us the opportunity to travel and that way get to know more about other parts of our Peru. Thanks to them and to FairMail we get to know our own culture better and we can identify with it. And then take great pictures of the cultural things we see.

What did you work on this time during the trip?

During the trip we worked for a company that requested our services to take pictures of organic coffee. Of the production process the drying and the families that work in coffee production. But we also worked on general card themes like love, Christmas and light etc.

Which photo did you take during the trip which you think might make it to a FairMail postcard?

This one:

Betty

What will you do with the money you earn if it actually becomes a FairMail card?

With the money I would continue to pay for my education (business administration) to become a good professional. And that way not let my family down.

Why did only 3 teenagers get to go on the trip this time?

Because we didn’t have enough foreign travellers to support us. That’s why there wasn’t enough budget to take more teenagers to enjoy this great trip! Through a selection process 3 teenagers where chosen who could go.

Tags: betty, Peru, photography travels
Posted in FairMail, Germany, Peru | No Comments »

Travel with the teenagers: 4 new trips to Peru & India

Thursday, July 12th, 2012

FairMail

“A unique way of getting to know the country because by travelling with the FairMail teenagers you don’t feel like a tourist at all and you get into very special situations where you can take great pictures.”

This is what an ex-participant of FairMail’s photography trip said when asked to explain what is so good about travelling together with the FairMail teenagers. Besides treating yourself to a unique holiday you also help the teenagers to take pictures for their cards. Both by sponsoring the costs of their trip, but also by giving your opinion (as an consumer from the west) about their pictures and what has to be improved so people like you will buy them on a FairMail card. Read more about the trips here.

Four trips to Peru and India are planned for the next 12 months. All with guaranteed departure! Click below to read about the new destinations.

If you want to learn more please feel free to visit the photography trip information session on Saturday the 25^th of August in Amsterdam from 15.00 until 17.00.

To register for this event please click here:

Trip 1: India: Darjeeling: Queen of the Himalaya – 20 October to 5 November 2012 – 17 days – 1.195 euro

In cooperation with Commundo.

Read travel description here (in dutch)