Our story
Maria del Pilar Marcapiña, founder of HAMPAJ.
She studied informatic engineering and worked for IBM for almost 7 years until HAMPAJ was born in 2014.
The story of HAMPAJ starts with a little girl at her parent’s workshop, both parents artisans, who, playing, passed on their ancestral knowledge to her, full of values and colors flowing from the roots of the motherland that saw them all grow. The parents, aware of the challenges of their work, wanted a better future for the girl, with no shortages and no heartache, and while they protected her so that she did not feel that pain, they also prepared her for that future they dreamed of. But the girl, in her heart, knew about the shortages, she felt them, they hurt her, and with that she grew.
As the years passed, she discovered that her dreams had helped to ease the life of her parents. She understood that dreaming big could help others to live in peace, and with what she learned what she wanted to share with the world.
It is said that the threads of destiny are knitted by the intentions of the soul of the knitter. The hands that knitted this story, thus, did so with the dream of creating unique pieces designed with love and joy, resulting in exquisite knits created with the best materials that our land can offer.
This dream, together with the love that only a mother can give, makes HAMPAJ a bright light in a previously dark sky.
Everything was born from a dream, the dream of a little girl, the dream of women knitters.
Meaning & Fair Trade
HAMPAJ is a Quechua word meaning “for you.” Once upon a time there was an Inca Empire in South America. These kings of the Andes spoke a sweet language that is still alive in the Peruvian Andes: Quechua.
HAMPAJ is a Peruland All Natural brand. The World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) guarantees that Peruland All Natural is a Fair Trade company.
Our Team
I am the mother of Maria del Pilar (the founder) and I am in charge of the quality review team. I have been a committed artisan and passionate about my work all my life, and with it I was able to raise my 3 children. I like to stay home, cook and exercise, I don't travel a lot, but sometimes my daughters and I take our backpacks and backpack around the world.
Alejandrina
I’m a fashion designer and work in the product development area. I’m good at monitoring the process and if I don’t know how to do something we need for the process, I will find a way to learn it. I like to travel and discover new things and places in the place where I am.
Olinda
Everybody calls me Eli, I’m proud mother of two sons and I’m part of the quality review team. Paying attention to details is one of my skills at work, in addition to the care I put into packing every product. I like dancing all rhythms and spending time with my family.
Elizabeth
I’m part of the quality review team. I aim for each piece to be perfect, and I celebrate the joy of doing our work and the patience to search in detail for possible errors and correct them. And that is what I bring: a lot of patience and joy. After work, I enjoy sharing with my family and walking around with my dog, Papichester.
Katty
I have more than 30 years working with artisans and I simply love my job. I’m in charge of the administrative activities and keep records and accounts in order and clear. What I love the most is cooking and taking care of my family.
Carmen
My name is Machin Alberto but you can call me: Machi. I’m far more than the pet of the family, I'm their doctor. When I feel stress is around, I take care of every member of the team by rubbing my tail around them and making them carry me. I love being the most spoiled member of the family.
