Marylyse

Marylyse

1. What is your role at Ndara?

I started with making the Ndara rugs. This means choosing fabric and composition of colors, then cutting the fabric up, stitching them into a long yarn, and then either braiding or crocheting them into rugs. Eventually Ndara taught me how to use a sewing machine and now help sew all the different products besides the clothes. I am still learning to make clothes. I am the operator of the zig-zag sewing machine, so I get to finish all the clothes that we make. I also manage the boutique one week a month. 

2. What does Ndara mean to you? 

Ndara means that I am independent. I could leave my husband who wasn't treating me well because I had money to support myself and my children. I don't need anyone to take care of me. Ndara has taught me so much. And Ndara has changed so much, when I started 4 years ago we didn't have a real workshop, and now we have a workshop and a boutique. I didn't know how to make an invoice before, and now I am one of the main managers of the boutique. Ndara means we can grow stronger and better.

3. What are your hopes for the future?

I bought a piece of land with the money I saved up. I now dream of building a house on that land. It will take several years, it's expensive to build. But I know as long as I continue to work for Ndara I can do it. For Ndara I hope that we continue to learn and grow so we can please our customers more.