Blog

At Ndara, we believe that each stitch, each handcrafted piece, is more than a product—it's a thread woven with stories of hope, resilience, and dreams. The impact of Ndara goes far beyond craftsmanship. Each Ndara artisan experiences a transformative journey that reaches into the heart of their families, their communities and beyond. Ndara is not simply a workplace or a source of income; it is a catalyst for life-changing growth. Through their work, they inspire others around them and uplift entire neighborhoods, spreading hope and opportunity across generations.

As you read each of these portraits, you’ll see how the threads of each artisan’s story intertwine with Ndara’s mission: to create a legacy of empowerment and pride for artisans and communities alike.

During each market, we share portraits of our artisans along with their personal stories, revealing how their lives have changed since joining Ndara. Since language barriers prevent many artisans from connecting directly with clients, we’re displaying these stories in our Bangui boutique during our Christmas markets, giving customers a glimpse into the lives and dreams behind each handcrafted piece.

Please take the time to get to know our artisans and see the impact you can have. Your support changes lives and spreads hope.

Introducing Garnella

Garnella’s laughter rings through the Ndara workshop, lifting spirits and weaving threads of joy into the fabric of each day. Known for her contagious smile and quick humor, she has a way of lightening every challenge and finding a reason to laugh, even when tasks get tough. Her journey with Ndara began during the height of the pandemic when she joined the team as a mask maker, seeking a way to provide for her family amidst rising prices and economic uncertainty. But it was more than just the mask-making project that captured her attention; she was inspired by Ndara’s founder, Charlotte, and her approach to managing the artisans with respect and a sense of purpose. When the mask project ended, Garnella approached Charlotte with a desire to join Ndara permanently, beginning a journey that has brought her both growth and stability.

With her father’s help, Garnella attended a Catholic learning center for three years, where she learned the basics of sewing. Her father bought her a sewing machine, and she began making clothing for her neighbors. But when she joined Ndara, Garnella’s eyes were opened to a world beyond basic tailoring. She learned new skills, from creating computer pouches and new types of clothes to the essential tasks of managing invoices, calculating prices, and maintaining a boutique. She remembers seeing a Ndara rug for the first time and thinking it must have been made by a machine, so intricate were its details. When she learned it was crafted entirely by hand, she realized the depth of skill she had yet to uncover.

Learning to read, write, and communicate with clients in French has been Garnella’s biggest hurdle, but her determination has paid off. Nearly three years of hard work have led her to the point where she can now manage inventory and write her own invoices in the Ndara boutique. Her progress is a true thread of hope, reflecting Ndara’s mission to bring new opportunities and self-sufficiency to each artisan. This journey has taught Garnella the importance of attention to detail, a lesson she carries into her life as a mother, instilling in her children the belief that even the smallest details can transform something simple into something beautiful and meaningful.

Garnella has wisely used her earnings to invest in her family’s future. From her first paycheck, she bought pigs for her farm and has steadily worked to improve her quality of life. In 2023, she fulfilled a lifelong dream by purchasing land in her own name, marking a milestone of independence and security. With her sights set on breaking ground on a new house in 2025, she is saving up to buy new pigs following a swine illness that affected her previous livestock.

The Ndara workshop has been more than a source of income for Garnella; it has reshaped how she organizes and manages her life. She has taken the skills she learned in inventory management and applied them to her household, making sure that her home reflects the same order and care that she practices in the boutique.

This Christmas, with her husband deployed, Garnella is looking forward to a quiet celebration with her children. She plans to prepare a meal of chicken and rice, a treat that holds special meaning for her family, and she is going to take her children to church. Her joy, resilience, and warmth echo the hope that Ndara embodies - one that is woven into each product and shared with every person who walks through the Ndara doors.