Michell is a socially responsible company, both from within as well as extending this philosophy to the communities with which it interacts.

Within the company, Michell employs fair trade principles, making sure the work force enjoys a pleasant working environment, that salaries are paid on time, holiday periods are respected and that training is provided on a regular basis to improve their skills. Furthermore, Michell strictly adheres to Peruvian regulations concerning tax, labour and environmental obligations.

Michell is involved in two projects: a social one called “Mirasol” and a cultural one called “Michell National Art Contest”.

 

The Mirasol Civil Association  was created thanks to the initiative of a Norwegian couple, customers of Michell, and determined support of Michell y Cía S.A. Kari Hestnes and Per Svendsen, visited Mallkini farm for the first time back in 2005, and during one of their excursions met two young children: Marisol and Alex, who were children of one of the shepherds at the ranch.

Kari and Per were impressed by the charismatic simplicity of the children, especially of Marisol. They saw the reality of their life-style and the difficulties that it presented for them and for many other children in the region attending school, for instance walking between 3 and 4 hours daily to reach school and return home on rainy, cold and snowy days. As a result of their experience, Kari and Per had an idea of building a boarding school where the local children could board from Monday to Friday and from where they could attend their schools.

Thus, thanks to the initiative of Kari and Per and the determined support of Michell & Cia, a plan of the project began to develop. Michell donated an area of land of approximately 12,600 m2 for the development of the project, and the building of the house commenced in mid - 2007, at a cost of S/. 582,770.43 (Aprox.US$209,629.65)

The Boarding School adopted the name of MARISOL, the name of the girl Kari and Per met at the farm. However as a result of formalities and language issues, the name was changed to MIRASOL, and the project was registered under the name of Mirasol Civil Association.

This project started with the monetary support of  Kari and Per, through its company, Du Sotre Alpakka and Michell & Cia. Later other companies sharing the same philosophy joined the project. We refer to Knitting Fever (US), Fil Diamond Yarn (Canada), Fil Katia(Spain) and Designer Yarns Ltd (UK). 

These companies and Michell with the sole purpose of supporting the programme, created a collection of hand knitting yarns called MIRASOL which is distributed throughout USA, Canada and Europe. Both the companies and Michell agreed to donate a percentage of their purchases in the case of the companies and percentage of their sales in the case of Michell.

Mirasol is also receiving contributions from friends and visitors who have made personal contributions. The monetary contributions from sponsors, as from 2007 to December 2011, has been a total of US$663,331.00, which have been mainly used in the construction and implementation of the premises, as well as in  the feeding of the children, salaries of the personnel (teachers and auxiliary personnel) and operating expenditures. Since 2008, when the operation of the lodge began, we have had 38 children living in the house, whose ages range from 3 to 16 years old. Children have received, in addition to their lodging in properly equipped boys and girls dormitories, complete, balanced meals (breakfast, lunch and supper). Additionally, there are snacks for the youngest. The children also receive a ‘track-suit’ as a uniform plus a further one for night attire.

They receive necessary educational materials in order to work after school and to do their homework.
After the children receive their breakfast, they leave to attend their respective schools and on their return for lunch in the afternoon, they are assisted in their homework by two teachers.

 

 

Also a PRONOIE (Initial Public Education Program) has been implemented - a  school for children of 3 to 5 years, with the authorization of the Education Authorities of the Zone, with the attendance of 8 children who also have remained boarding at Mirasol, from Monday through to Friday. The permanent staff at the lodge comprises of an in-charge teaching director, two tutorial teachers, a cook and an assistant. The work in the lodge is properly planned and programmed whilst the oldest children have been assigned certain duties in the house to assist with the daily tasks. This way the children start assuming small responsibilities within the boarding house. Also, parents are contributing with their work doing weekly cleaning and maintenance including laundry. As is clear, the first target for the creation of this association is to provide the children of these areas with a better education and preparation to face life in the future. They are taught not only the scholastic knowledge of the official curriculum, but they are also prepared in areas in order to assist them to develop in the future. All this accompanied by an adequate diet, health care and shelter.

Since 2009 it has been decided to start a primary school with a limited number of pupils, where they will receive an adequate education and will be able to help better in the development of their knowledge. The experience of this year has demonstrated that it is not possible to advance a great deal with the education level that children receive in the different schools that they attend. This new challenge will demonstrate, without doubt, the necessity for greater donations and contributions for the support and operation of a primary school that will count initially of a total scholarship population of 45 children.

As from 2009, we made all efforts to comply with one of the aims of the project, which was to have a Primary School in Mirasol, so children would not have to go elsewhere to attend schools, and for them to receive a good quality education, as their level was very low compared to other children from larger cities of Southern Peru.

There have been many obstacles to overcome, procedures to be complied with and equipment to be bought (some through donations received), but finally, at the end of February, official authorization from the Regional Education Office was granted to open the Primary School.
The Mirasol Primary School, officially opened on April 6th, 2009 with 45 Primary students from 1st to 6th grade and 12 children of elementary level.

 

The school is continuing to grow and we are implementing constant improvement, hoping year after year with the support of companies, individuals and Michell, we can continue to increase the support and hope in the short term that we can open another Mirasol School in another needed part of Peru For those interested in contributing to this project please contact us at michell@michell.com.pe

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For the last 32 years, Michell has been organising “ El Concurso de Arte Michell  & Cia” , which today is considered one of the best know art contest in Peru.

It started when the Michell family, made a trip to the Cabanaconde, near the Colca Canyon in Arequipa,  and discovered the amazing water colour works found in this and near villages. That inspired the Michell family to organise the first art contest back in 1980, with the sole purpose to provide support and encouragement to development of the Peruvian artist, who have very limited economic resources, but are rich with in their talents.

Years later, the art contest also included the techniques of oils and acrylics. But in 2006, Michell decided to include a new technique, which is related to the Peruvian culture since pre-Incan times, that is textiles. Since then, the art contest has become more important, since the idea is to show the incredible tales of the textile artist that are mainly found in the Peruvian Highlands.

 

For more information about the Michell Art Contest please click here

 

Exhibition 2012

 

AREQUIPA  "Mundo Alpaca" Art Gallery Juan de la Torre 101, San Lazaro Arequipa From September 28th to October 25th, 2012. LIMA  "El Olivar" Cultural Centre - San Isidro City Hall La Republica 455 Street, San Isidro Lima-Perú. From November 7th to 27th, 2012.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MICHELL NATIONAL ART CONTEST, CLICK HERE