8 Months later: the story of a winner

After the prize ceremony in September 2006 things went fast with Fair Mail. Janneke found a buyer for her cards, which are now being sold in several Dutch Fair Trade shops. The prize money was invested in cameras, office supplies and the development of a professional website.

"The beauty about Fair Mail postcards is that they visualize the world of Peruvian teenagers. Because of their age and origin they can photograph without changing peoples' natural behaviour. This results in unique pictures". Janneke explains.

At this moment Fair Mail guarantees a fair salary, medical insurance and good working conditions for 5 teenagers. They are trained in photography and half the profit is being deposited in an education fund. Every three months the teenagers receive their share in profit. "This year they were able to cover almost all educational costs with their earned money. Seeing the concrete results of their efforts, the teens are more strongly motivated then ever, as are their parents. In the next weeks we will employ 5 more teenagers that will be trained by the other, now experienced teen photographers".

Janneke still remains in contact with her BiD Challenge coach Nathilda de Graaf from TNT. "She always informs me on things that could be interesting for Fair Mail. She even tried to convince her boss of buying our cards for the companies christmas gift baskets".

In the coming months Janneke will invest her time and money in finding other distribution channels in the Netherlands with a new collection of theme cards. Furthermore an expert of the Dutch Design in Development programme will assist Fair Mail in developing a professional corporate design.

"In the next coming years we will try to enter the main stream market in Europe, Canada and the United States and start two more production units in India and South Africa".

Buy Fair Mail's 'cards with perspective' now at www.fairmail.info