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FairMail for and by local teenagers: Anidela and Angeles new co-managers

Monday, April 24th, 2017

Our new co-managers Anidela and Angeles

Since the 1st of April FairMail Peru has a new co-management team: former teenage photographers Anidela and Angeles take over the tasks of Maria Flor and Betty who are both pursuing new goals to study and work abroad.

For and by local teenagers

We have very good experiences with employing former teenagers for management positions since 2014 when Maria Flor, Yuli and later also Betty became the local managers. This way FairMail Peru not only exists for local teenagers but also exists thanks to the same teenagers who make promotion into a coordinating function.

To be honest, we already had a bit of an eye on Anidela and Angeles since we selected them for FairMail’s European promotional tour in 2015. Since then our confidence in these two 19 year old girls has only grown. And with their continued focus on their education they are great examples for the current teenagers of what you can achieve with a motivated and responsible attitude.

Anidela when she entered FairMail in 2011

Angeles when she entered FairMail in 2013

Big challenges ahead

After a one month training period they officially started on the 1st of April 2017. Anidela says “what I like about my job is to be able to develop myself on a personal and professional level and at the same time help the teenagers with their photography through my own ideas and suggestions.”. Of course their young age and little management experience will make their new jobs all the more challenging. Angeles says about this: “my biggest challenge will be to win the trust of the teenagers, Peter and Janneke. I hope they will put their trust in me so we can have a good relationship and communication. Because that is the basis for FairMail to function well.”

Thank you Maria flor and Betty!

The first weeks look very promising and we very much look forward to see them grow further. We would like to thank Maria Flor and Betty one more time for their great work as co-managers for FairMail Peru for 3 years and 1 year respectively. And we wish them all the best in finding a great family in the United States where they hope to be working as Au Pair very soon.

Tags: anidela, maria, Peru, teenagers
Posted in FairMail, Peru | No Comments »

Mission Possible: working on personal goals

Sunday, April 23rd, 2017

Angelica and her goal to get into National University

Juan Gabriel and his goal to pay for the first 2 years of his private university himself (before he can get a scholarship)

Money alone is not enough

The money the teenagers earn with the sale of their cards will get them nowhere without a personal goal for the future which they believe in. Now that FairMail founder Janneke graduated as adolescents coach we started a new project called Mission Possible. During a shared 11-step program each teenager sets a personal goal and works on it, sharing each step in the group and taking their families and other supporters along in the process too.

The goals the FairMail teenagers chose are mostly educational goals, like getting into the National University, ending on first place in class on high school and getting admitted in a football academy. These are ambitious goals, for which you need confidence, persistence and some help along the way.

Paul want to get into a local soccer academy

Paul wants to get into a local soccer academy

Medalit want to get at least an 85% score in high school so her parents will be proud of her

Medalit wants to get at least an 85% score in high school so her parents will be proud of her

The power of a symbol

Each teenager chose a symbol to carry along with him or her as extra motivator and to remind them of the goal they set for themselves. The teenagers made the life size symbols in these pictures themselves. Each expressing what they want to achieve over the coming 12 months.

An important part of this project is about the teenagers becoming more aware of what they have achieved so far and which qualities they already have inside them. Qualities which they can use in reaching their goals. Another step is to think about possible setbacks and make a plan for when those setbacks might come along. They keep track of the progress they make and motivate each other in their challenges.

Positive results

So far the results have been positive: we see their inner motivation grow and little by little also their self-confidence and trust that their goals become within reach, step by step!

You can follow their development by staying tuned into their personal profile pages on the FairMail website.

Yulissa want to get first place in her final year of high school

Yulissa wants to get first place in her final year of high school

Dante wants to get admitted in a soccer academy

Bryan want to get admitted to the National University

Bryan wants to get admitted to the National University

Tags: education, social impact, teenagers
Posted in FairMail, Peru | No Comments »

How do the FairMail teenagers celebrate Christmas?

Monday, December 5th, 2016

Angeles celebrating Christmas with her family

“In Peru we have the tradition to celebrate Christmas with our families in our homes.” according to Julissa. Her colleague Anidela explains how the preparations work: “Normally we get together first to organize things and to plan who will bring what on Christmas day.”

“On the day itself we meet at 8 pm in my aunt’s house. First we prepare the table and decorate it with flowers. It is filled with chicken sandwiches, Christmas bread, Turkey and chocolate milk. When everything is ready we have dinner together. But no until one of us says a few words about the wishes we have as a family for next year. After midnight we share hugs. First with the family and then with the neighbours too. That is our tradition of celebrating Christmas.”

Not all of our teenagers live with their actual families. Some of them live in the Mundo de Nino’s boys home. Pauls says: “Yes we celebrate Christmas in Peru. I spend it with my family of the boys home.”

Tags: Christmas, Peru, teenagers
Posted in FairMail, Peru | No Comments »

The impact that really matters: life after leaving FairMail

Wednesday, September 7th, 2016

A unique FairMail soccer ball made in Mariluz’ soccer ball factory

In our earlier newsletter you read about FairMail’s impact expressed in numbers. And personal stories about FairMail’s impact on the lives of our current teenagers. But perhaps the most important is the life our former photographers are living years after leaving FairMail.

As this year FairMail is celebrating its 10th birthday we can now provide you with that insight, based on the stories of Pasquel and Mariluz. Both of them left FairMail over 5 years ago and are now leading an independent life as entrepreneurs.

Iconic fair trade image
Mariluz was one of FairMail’s first 6 teenage photographers way back in 2006. She was nearly 16 years old back then. We got to know her through ACJ, a local branch of the YMCA, working with families who make a living of recycling on the nearby garbage belt.

Mariluz’ iconic FairMail photo of local beauty

With this iconic FairMail picture of a butterfly in a flower, taken in front of her house, Mariluz showed us the potential of finding and commoditizing local beauty even in places where you would not expect it.

Mariluz’ bumpy road
Her FairMail career wasn’t the smoothest in the beginning. We even had to suspend her for a couple of months due to motivational problems. But she got the message and worked on her behavior. We gave her a second chance which she grabbed with both hands. This way becoming a valued team member until she retired in 2009 at the age of 19. Her mother being diagnosed with cancer didn’t help her to pursue her educational dreams. However in the end her mother recovered and Mariluz managed to finish studying to become a bank clerk with the 2.352 euro she earned from the sale of her cards.

Mariluz operating one of the soccer ball machines

The smallest soccer ball factory
Since she moved in with her boyfriend, she has combined studying with running a small soccer ball factory. Together with the rest of the family they can produce around 200 soccer balls a week. They even do personalized soccer balls like this ball Mariluz made especially for FairMail.

At the moment Mariluz is studying Marketing & International Business with which she hopes to help her soccer ball factory grow further.

Running away from home

Pasquel with his family when he was 15 years old

Pasquel was one of FairMail’s second generation photographers who joined FairMail in 2009 at the age of 14. After school and during his holidays he worked on the rubbish dump, collecting cardboard and plastic to sell. His father lived and worked elsewhere.

At the age of 16 Pasquel left Trujillo and FairMail to search for his father. After finding him Pasquel stayed with his father and they worked in construction together for a couple of years in the jungle and we kind of lost touch of him.

Starting a family business

Paquel at a livestock fair

Until earlier this year when Pasquel called us. By now he was living with his girlfriend in the South of Peru. He wanted to quit his job in an agricultural processing plant and set up his own business trading livestock. His new girlfriend’s uncle was experienced in the business and wanted to help him. Together they made a plan for Pasquel’s business as this is one of the criteria if the teenagers want to use their FairMail earnings to invest in a business.
In the end the business plan was approved and Pasquel was able to withdraw the money from the sale of his cards which FairMail saved for him over the past few years. He invested this in purchasing 3 calves, their food and medicine. From the sale he has been able to reinvest in his business and he managed to make a profit.

Lessons learned
Of course every teenager has a unique and personal story. What we can learn about the lives of Pasquel and Mariluz is the positive impact of finding a partner coming from a stable and welcoming family. Especially after the lives they have led as kids in broken families, these new surroundings provide them with needed support, advise and stability. Surroundings in which Pasquel and Mariluz are now able to make full use of the earnings and life lessons they learned in FairMail. Both of them remember the fun times when they were part of FairMail and often mention that they learned that you have to grab opportunities when they are presented to you in life.

Mariluz in her home, together with her boyfriend

Tags: impact, mariluz, pasquel, results, social impact, teenagers
Posted in FairMail, Peru | No Comments »

Maria flor: FairMail’s first university graduate

Wednesday, September 7th, 2016

This year FairMail is celebrating its tenth anniversary. We got the biggest gift of all from former FairMail Peru photographer Maria flor who became the first FairMail teenager to get a university degree! And also the first in her family. In July she defended her thesis successfully and finished the 5-year communications sciences degree at the UCV private university.

Stand out from the rest
When Maria flor started studying she had a very clear goal: to stand out from the rest. As this would be the best guarantee for a better future. A clear example of this is the story she told about her best memory over the past 5 years:

“At my private university the monthly fees are very high. When I went to pay for my second semester the secretary told me I didn’t have to pay anything as I got the highest grades of all during the first semester. I was sure it had to be a mistake. So I asked her to check again please. But it was true. I was in shock and couldn’t think at all. But later in the bus back home I was very happy that all my effort, dedication, determination and invested time had been worthwhile.”

In many of the following semesters Maria flor repeated this performance and received more scholarships for her high scores.

Finding a job in Peru
Even with a university degree finding a good job is not easy in Peru. A lot depends on who you know amongst potential employers so they can recommend you. Moreover, most employers are looking for employees with experience. And usually the first years you have to deal with being lowest in the hierarchy so your next job can be better. To increase your chances to find a job it is also very important to have various degrees.

Plans for the future
So it looks like Maria flor isn’t finished studying yet. She wants to complement her degree with studying English, graphic design and audio visual techniques. And she wants to work as Au Pair in the USA for one year.

“Perhaps it sounds a bit crazy because normally after finishing university people look for a job. But I want to try something different as I like learning new things, work on my English and feel that I can do something by myself as I have always lived with my mother, brothers and sister. When I return I want to study “international business” and travel to Canada as there are opportunities for Peruvian students to do an internship there.”

That’s Maria flor, always working on new goals.

The next generation
With Maria flor out of university we currently have two Peruvian teenagers in University: Yuli and Anidela. Actually three as Juan Gabriel just started studying communication sciences at the UPAO private university in August. On his way to become FairMail’s first male university graduate?

Tags: education, maria_flor, Peru, results, social impact, teenagers
Posted in FairMail, Peru | No Comments »

Former FairMail teenager joins daily management in Peru

Wednesday, April 27th, 2016

Betty during the weekly “social circle” meeting

The experiment we started over 2 years ago, to employ former FairMail teenagers as co-managers in Peru, is working well. So well that we decided to contract Betty (22) as new co-manager in Peru as of the first of April 2016.

This way assuring that FairMail Peru is run not only for but also by deprived teenagers.

“I am happy to work with the teenage photographers now as I was once one of them” says Betty. “Besides sharing the nice times with them, I will also get a lot of valuable work experience out of it, benefiting my personal future as I now have a lot more responsibility.”

Betty in action as teenage photographer

A shining example

The experiment has shown that making former teenagers in charge is very motivational for the current teenagers as they are shining examples of what one can achieve by making good use of the opportunities that FairMail provides. What also helps is that our new managers understand best the situations and hardships the FairMail teenagers have to deal with to get ahead in life. That makes FairMail’s guidance more relevant and legit.

As Betty says, “As former photographer I hope to be able to support and motivate the current teenagers, and help them with my advice. As just like me they come from parts of Trujillo with a low quality of life.”

Betty as a teenager with one of her cards in front of her house

Personal development for at-risk youth

Of course it requires a lot of training of our young and inexperienced managers to get them ready to carry the responsibilities their new jobs entail.

“My biggest challenges I am facing now is to win the trust of the new teenagers, their parents and the local NGO’s FairMail cooperates with.” according to Betty. “I also have to learn to manage my time better as I am getting more responsibilities in my work, which without doubt will be beneficial for me in other future jobs.”

But this training is something we enjoy doing and see as a natural extension of FairMail’s mission to provide personal development opportunities to at-risk youth. The most capable and responsibly ones are now getting the opportunity to obtain quality work experience which they can combine with their advanced education. Seeing them grow professionally only gives us more satisfaction!

You can read more about FairMail’s experience with employing former teenagers as local managers here.

Yuli during her time as FairMail co-manager

Thank you Yuli!

Betty’s new job means we are saying good bye to Yuli after she had worked for us for 2 years. During that time she performed a great job for FairMail. But after coming back from a 3 month working stay in the USA (during which Betty replaced her) Yuli decided she could no longer combine her job for FairMail with all her other activities. She is studying to become a language teacher, working as an assistant teenager and also studying English and French!. We will all miss Yuli’s inspiring and cheerful presence, but have no doubt she will come by to visit us regularly.

Tags: betty, Peru, teenagers, yuli
Posted in FairMail, Peru | No Comments »

FairMail teenagers volunteer in street children’s shelter

Wednesday, April 27th, 2016

FairMail Peru and Mundo de Ninos team together

For the recruitment of motivated but at-risk teenagers FairMail cooperates with different local charities working with the same target group. This means we work with a mix of teenagers who either used to live on the street, recycled garbage to supplement the family income or whose parents were not able to pay for their children’s education. The cooperation also allows us to combine efforts and strategies with the social workers and psychologists working for our partner organisations to keep “our” kids on the right track.

But how much do the FairMail teenagers themselves know about the backgrounds of their colleagues?

Diana putting up the frame she made for Paul

Visit to Mundo de Ninos boys home

That is why we organized several exchange visits for the FairMail teenagers to our partner organisations. A few weeks back the entire Peruvian FairMail team visited the Mundo de Ninos boys home. This street children’s shelter in Huanchaquito works hard to get street children off from the streets and to provide them with a home, food, love and education. In total 11 of the 30 Peruvian FairMail teenagers have lived in Mundo de Ninos. At this moment Paul and Dante have Mundo de Ninos as their substitute families.

Paul with his FairMail colleagues Diana and Anidela

Adding a female touch

Their social worker suggested that the boys’ room needed a bit of a “female touch” to make it more cozy. So during FairMail class the teenagers worked in pairs to make picture frames from recycled materials in order to put up six of Paul and Dante’s own pictures on their walls. During the visit in March we put up the frames. Paul and Dante’s room now looks great! Not only showcasing their talent for photography and providing fond memories of the moments they took their pictures, but also as lasting symbols of their new friendships within FairMail.

Angeles and Betty giving it their best shot

Soccer tournament

To get to know Paul and Dante’s housemates we also joined in a mini soccer tournament with the other (smaller) boys and their tutors. FairMail’s female soccer team lost from the smallest Mundo de Ninos kids after a penalty shoot-out. While the FairMail boy’s suffered a humiliating 6-0 defeat by the older Mundo de Ninos kids. But more important were the shared moments of fun and laughter. And that the entire FairMail team now knows a bit more about where Paul and Dante are coming from.

Kzanier and Bryan setting up another attack

Photography students become teachers

Earlier that month a youth delegation of another partner organisation, YMCA El Milagro who works with families living near the garbage dump, visited FairMail. During the occasion the FairMail teenagers acted as photography trainers, giving a photography workshop to the YMCA teenagers. It was great to see our students in their new roles as teachers and share their passion! This showed to be contagious as at the end of the workshop some of the YMCA kids were informing about how they could join FairMail. To be continued …..

Tags: Dante, Mundo de Ninos, paul, Peru, teenagers, volunteer, ymca
Posted in FairMail, Peru | No Comments »

The high´s, lows and future plans of our Peruvian teenagers

Thursday, February 4th, 2016

FairMail Peru photographer Paul telling about his highs and lows

For the Peruvian teenagers 2015 was a year full of broken bones, broken friendships, getting first place, getting promoted, valuable lessons in life and many other things.

Especially for you, we asked the teenagers to update their personal profile pages with last year’s highs and lows. Plus their plans for the coming year, explaining how they plan to use their part of the earnings from the sale of their fair trade FairMail cards to enter university, study English and start a new business among other things.

Click here to read their own stories.

We also uploaded short new videos of the 4 newest FairMail teenagers presenting themselves which you can view below:

Tags: angelica, Dante, medalit, paul, Peru, Photographers, results, teenagers, video
Posted in FairMail, Peru | No Comments »

Schools in Peru closed early due to “El Nino”

Tuesday, December 8th, 2015

In Peru the school year normally ends in December. However, this year the Peruvian government decided to speed things up with classes 6 days a week so they could already finish in November. This way the government hoped to finish the exams in time for the heavy “El Nino” rains that are expected to start in December. These would most likely mean that a large part of the students can’t make it to school for their final exams due to expected floodings.

During the last big “El Nino” in 1998 Huanchaco became isolated due to dry river beds turning into raging rivers, displacing many families who had nowhere else to build their homes. Fingers crossed this time it won’t be so devastating and that the preventive measures will prevent similar tragedies.

Although the final report cards aren’t in yet it seems that all of the current FairMail teenagers in Peru passed on to the next grade this year. Hurray! Even Dante who broke his right arm in a soccer match last month managed to finish primary school as he was allowed to do his final exams orally.

FairMail Peru photographer Juan Gabriel standing in front of the Kepler Academy

In the meantime, two high school graduates from earlier this year, Juan Gabriel and Maria de los Angeles, are preparing themselves for the big entry exam for the National University (UNT) in March next year. On average only the top 10% with the highest scores are allowed into the UNT.

As 17 year old Juan Gabriel finished high school studying only in the weekends he has a lot of catching up to do. With his part of the earnings from the sale of his FairMail cards he is now studying at the Kepler academy in Trujillo 6 days a week. Besides teaching him new subjects which he never learned before he also gets to practice a lot of old exams. Every week his test results are increasing so he seems to be on the right track for the March exam.

In the meantime, 18 year old Angeles is choosing a different route. Unfortunately, she didn’t get a high enough score in last March’s admission exam due to nerves. Therefore, this time she is studying at the CEPUNT institute. This is a very competitive institute which guarantees direct entry into the university for the students with the highest average marks after 3 partial exams. If she manages to finish in the top 8 of over 60 CEPUNT students who want to study social work like Angeles does she will enter the university directly. She finished in 18^th place after the first partial exam, so Angeles still has a lot of work to do. Fingers crossed for her next partial exam coming Sunday.

Tags: education, juan_gabriel, Maria de los Angeles, Peru, school, teenagers
Posted in FairMail, Peru | No Comments »

Juan Gabriel is top of the class

Wednesday, July 15th, 2015

FairMail Peru photographer Juan Gabriel

The high school graduation wave in Peru still isn’t over. After 3 teenagers graduating in December, it was Juan Gabriel’s turn last month. He didn’t just graduate, he actually got the highest marks of all of his class mates!

Because Juan Gabriel spent a period of his youth wondering on the streets singing for money he got behind in school. The staff of the street children project he moved into thought it would be best for little Juan to get a more practical education and job experience. In order for him to get a high school degree he assisted a special weekend school which allows its students to work during the week. And with great success!

Juan Gabriel’s certificate

It turns out that Juan Gabriel has quiet some academic potential though. He even wants to pursue further studies at the university. The coming months he will prepare himself for the admission exam at a private institute, with the money he earned from the sale of his cards. This way he hopes to get in uni to study communication sciences. He will need a high score in his admission exam to get in, so brushing up his knowledge will be necessary.

Juan Gabriel’s mother in front of their home.

On top of that he is also studying English at another institute and got a scholarship to study photography outside of FairMail. All in all Juan Gabriel is doing a great job in developing his potential and be able to help his family in the future. Because, despite the problems they had when he was young, he hopes to be able to build a real house on the piece of land his family squatted on the edge of the city. And that way providing him with a bed that doesn’t get wet when it rains.

Click here to congratulate Juan Gabriel.

Tags: education, juan_gabriel, Peru, results, social impact, teenagers
Posted in FairMail, Peru | No Comments »

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