Project Overview
The Fair Trade Postcard Photography project lets volunteers work with a company that produces fair trade greeting cards in Peru and more recently India. The photos on the cards are taken by underprivileged Peruvian teenagers. This project offers the teenagers photography training, part-time work, medical insurance and guidance in making their future plans.
The teenagers get 50% of the profits from the sale of their own cards to finance their housing and education.
The Fair Trade Postcard Photography project was founded in 2006 in Huanchaco, Peru by the Dutch sociologist and entrepreneur Janneke Smeulders. In 2007 Janneke's partner Peter den Hond joined her in the company and since 2008 they have operated the Dutch main operations office in Amsterdam together. The daily management of the Peru branch lies in the hands of local Manager Renato Cerqueira Nuñez, and Assistant Manager Cinthia Vega Inga (who is a former Fair Trade Postcard photographer).
All photos on the postcards are taken by Peruvian teenagers. The youth with whom they work live in relatively poor circumstances. The Peruvian teenagers either live in a boy’s home for ex-street children or they and their families earn money by recycling garbage at Trujillo’s El Milagro garbage dump and participate in a program of the YMCA called the ACJ Peru. Otra Cosa Network also has projects working with the ACJ at El Milagro garbage dump in Trujillo and with the home for ex-street children.
The following roles are available to volunteers:
a) Photography & Creativity Trainer for Peruvian teenagers.
b) Trainer for social abilities and personal development workshops for the teenagers.
c) Marketing Trainer (teach the teenagers about demand-driven work).
d) Marketing Assistant to research and prepare for possible markets in Peru, India, Europe, USA and Canada.
e) Graphic Designer to develop new products.
Volunteer Requirements
- Spanish speaking (High-Intermediate+)
- Flexible and open-minded
- Interest and some experience with working with teenagers (13-18 years old)
- Structured and able to work independently
- Creative and flexible in organizing activities
- Minimum commitment of 8 weeks
- 25 hours per week, 5 days a week, Sunday and Monday off
- That you will send us your volunteer application form and CV in Spanish!
- Your availability: when exactly do you want to come and for how long do you want to stay?
