... this was my motto when I came up with the idea of founding MAILA Surfbags in 2019. I didn’t want to be just another brand flooding the market with bags made somewhere in Asia to unknown conditions.

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2017 I moved from Switzerland to Costa Rica, mostly because of surfing but also because I felt incredibly welcome here. This is the reason why I decided that I want to give something back to the country and the people of Costa Rica. After hours and hours of searching the web, I came across a foundation called SIFAIS, located in La Carpio, San José. For a long time La Carpio was only known for an incredibly high criminal rate with violence, robberies and homicides on a daily basis until Fundación SIFAIS started their programs educating children and adults of the community. They built a integration center called
Cuevadeluz where they have facilities to offer classes in music, art and sports which gives people occupation and a perspective in their lives. The building as well contains a studio with industrial sewing machines where women without a primary school degree can get a diploma in sewing.

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After finding an online article about their project “Entrecosturas” I instantly knew I had found what I was looking for. I contacted the foundation and they were welcoming me with open arms. When I met the community I was completely taken by their spirit. I saw smiling faces in every room I entered and this happiness and passion one can see in the bags they make by its incredible quality in every little detail.

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I dare to make a difference by supporting the community and pay a fair price for the production of our bags. If you dare to make a difference, too, shop consciously and consider brands which are transparent about where and under which conditions their products are made.

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Learn more about Fundación SIFAS and their projects under www.sifais.org