Mundo Munay is a community-based project founded in 2024 by social entrepreneurs Kira Beck and Federica Micozzi. It brings together two initiatives: FairMail, a social enterprise that trains young photographers and produces fair-trade stationery, and Munay, a brand of handcrafted home products made by local women artisans. Beyond production, Mundo Munay is a welcoming space where our photographers and artisans feel supported, valued, and part of a larger community.
Mundo Munay stems from FairMail, a social enterprise founded in 2006 by Dutch social entrepreneurs Janneke Smeulders and Peter den Hond that has been operating in Huanchaco since then. Over the years, FairMail has provided for the education of over 50 teenagers through the sale of greeting cards and has supported them in their personal and professional growth. 2023 marked a turning point in the history of FairMail as director Kira and Federica felt a deep call to expand the reach of the project and deepen the impact within the local community, hence the foundation of hence the foundation of Mundo Munay, a comprehensive community project that now embraces both Munay – a home decor brand of crochet creations – and FairMail.
FairMail was founded in 2006 by Dutch social entrepreneurs Janneke Smeulders and Peter den Hond. At that time, they were running a vegetarian restaurant in Huanchaco and volunteering in El Milagro, a poor neighborhood of Trujillo where hundreds of families survived by separating garbage at the city landfill. Seeing the harsh reality of child labor in Peru, they decided to act. Inspiration came when Janneke noticed that volunteers took photos of the children but never allowed them to handle the cameras. She reversed the perspective by giving the children cameras, starting the first photography classes. What began as a hobby soon became a life-changing opportunity for the first five photographers. Janneke began producing postcards with their pictures, selling them in her restaurant, and reinvesting the income in the photographers’ education. This was the birth of FairMail Peru.
After 12 years, in 2017, Peter and Janneke decided to step back. In January 2018, former volunteers Kira Beck (Germany) and Federica Micozzi (Italy) took over.
he FairMail photographers are teenagers, ages 13 to 19, that live in the suburban areas of Trujillo, the third biggest city in Peru, and come from critical socio-economic backgrounds.
We work in close collaboration with local NGOs (Mundo de Ninos, ACJ, La Rampa) that operate in Trujillo and Huanchaco and through them, we recruit our photographers. More specifically, when there is a vacant position in FairMail, we ask them to identify a number of teenagers that fit the profile of a viable candidate, which is to say a motivated, willing to learn, enthusiastic girl or boy who also comes from a low-income family and therefore could benefit from FairMail’s support.
We recruit our photographers through local NGOs that operate in the area of Trujillo and Huanchaco. To be approved as an official FairMail photographer, all teenagers go through a 2-month training during which they receive basic photography classes and familiarize themselves with the way FairMail works (schedule, values, goals) and fellow photographers. At the end of the training, they take an exam that includes both photography theory and practice. If they succeed in the exam and they are deemed fit (in terms of behavior) to join FairMail, they sign their contract and become, by all means, official FairMail photographers.
In FairMail, the teenagers have the opportunity to gain a true work experience and just as in any other working environment they are expected to comply with the company rules. Specifically, we require our photographers to be punctual, motivated, to respect FairMail staff and fellow photographers, to take good care of the photography equipment and of our premises. If they fail to comply with these rules, we first talk to them and if we see that nothing really changes, we give them a final warning that may result in termination of the contract. Following a code of conduct prepares them for future work experiences and makes them more confident in their future job search.
Ordinary cards featuring exotic, ethnic images are typically produced with pictures taken by professional photographers from Northern countries and sold by companies based in rich, developed countries. No profit goes to the country and the communities where the picture was taken. We believe that it is only fair that the country that provides the beauty that is pictured on the card receives a fair share of the profit made from the sale of that card. This is why we share with our Peruvian photographers 60% of the profit and this money is entirely invested in Peru.
FairMail has a detailed list of things/services that the teenagers are allowed to buy with their earnings. 80% of the money that the photographers earn goes into their education fund and it can be used to pay tuition fees, extra-school classes, and job training. It can also be used to buy books and educational material (glasses, backpacks, notebooks, etc.).
The money that goes into the house fund can be spent on house improvement works (lay the floor, fix the roof, etc.) and on house supplies.
Finally, the money that goes into their clothing fund can be spent to buy clothes.
By definition, “fair trade” is an arrangement designed to help producers in developing countries achieve sustainable and equitable trade relationships. There are several organizations in the world that promote fair trade practices, FairMail has been a member of the World Fair Trade Organization since the very beginnings.
As a member of the WFTO, FairMail complies with the 10 Fair Trade Principles:
- Creating Opportunities for Economically Disadvantaged Producers
- Transparency and Accountability
- Fair Trading Practices
- Payment of a Fair Price
- Ensuring no Child Labor and Forced Labor
- Commitment to Non-Discrimination, Gender Equity and Freedom of Association
- Ensuring Good Working Conditions
- Providing Capacity Building
- Promoting Fair Trade
- Respect for the Environment
As a member of the WFTO, every 2 years FairMail is obliged to submit a self-assessment report (SAR) which serves as a framework for the for the Monitoring Audit and Peer Visit. The Peer Visit is a best practice procedure involving a peer organization in the monitoring mechanism. The peer visitor helps a member achieve and improve the compliance with the and highlights good practices and raise issues of concern. The Monitoring Audit is a formal and extensive process, which requires preparation and securing good and complete documentation of the ins and outs of the organization. It is essential that everything mentioned or explained in the SAR has back up documents or proof to present to the auditor. If both procedures are successful, the WFTO membership is confirmed.
The women of Munay are talented artisans from the community of Huanchaco, ranging in age from their 30s to over 80. Many come from low-income families and carry with them a wealth of knowledge and skill in crochet and sewing. By joining Mundo Munay, they not only gain opportunities to earn a fair income, but also a supportive environment where their creativity and craftsmanship are recognized and celebrated.
The artisans meet twice a week at Casi Casa, our production center located in the hillside neighborhood of El Tablazo in Huanchaco. These collective crochet sessions are not only about production, but also about building a sense of belonging, community, and mutual support. For many, it is a chance to take a break from daily struggles and dedicate time to themselves, creating and sharing in a positive environment. In addition to the group sessions, artisans also work from home at their own pace, balancing their craft with family responsibilities.
Each Munay product is born from the meeting of two worlds: Peru’s rich textile heritage and contemporary design. Once a product idea is defined, artisans are encouraged to experiment with shapes, textures, patterns, and colors. This creative freedom ensures that every piece reflects an authentic aesthetic — one that honors tradition while e mbracing modern functionality.