Frank Webster Michell, a former Royal Air Force WWI flying ace, came to Peru in 1922 in search of the wily chinchilla. The chinchilla eluded him, but the alpaca, with its luxurious fleece, captured his heart. Michell's forthright manner and charisma helped propel him to a leadership position as an alpaca exporter. He revolutionized the way alpaca was classified by fineness leading to an even more profitable end product. This legacy lives on today, through son Michael and grandson, Derek and the Michell Company, www.michell.com.pe.
"Michell" is the one word of English spoken by every Quechua in the high sierra. The Michell family provides free housing and meals at their estancia, Mallkini, during Quechua Benefit clinics in Macusani: All at no charge. Their assistance throughout the years has been invaluable.
At dinner one night, Moises, the manager of Mallkini, where the Quechua Benefit team often stays courtesy of Michell Cia, praised the volunteers by saying, "I don't know if it is proper English to call you a group of crazies or a crazy group, but I do know I feel good being a part of it."
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