FAIR TRADE MANUFACTURING

Páramo’s partnership with the Miquelina Foundation in Bogotá, Colombia began in 1992 giving valuable opportunities to vulnerable women at risk of prostitution and drugs by providing them with training and employment. We are proud that all garments manufactured at Miquelina (80% of our annual production, including all our Analogy^® waterproof garments) carry the World Fair Trade Organization Fair Trade label.

The Miquelina Foundation

In 1977, a Colombian nun called Esther Castaño Mejia set up a sewing workshop with just a few second hand sewing machines to offer practical help to women rescued from the streets of Bogotá. The workshop provided training and experience, enabling women to apply for jobs in other factories, but at this stage was not a commercially viable manufacturer.

Páramo’s founder, Nick Brown, made contact with Miquelina in 1992 and since then Páramo and Miquelina have grown together. Páramo is celebrating 30yrs of award-winning outdoor clothing, and the Foundation now provides training and employment for over 500 vulnerable women each year who want to improve their lives.

Miquelina incorporated as an independent charitable foundation in 1997 and in 2002 obtained ISO 9001 accreditation, a highly prestigious international standard recognising dedication to quality. In 2017, after 25 years of partnership with Páramo, Miquelina attained Guaranteed Fair Trade status from the World Fair Trade Organization, which covers everything they produce, a significant achievement.. Read more here.

Páramo’s founder, Nick Brown talks to Mpora about why the Miquelina Foundation initiative is close to his heart.