Meet The Mamas

Regina Adjetey, Quality Control (Prampram, Ghana)

“Prosperity is about learning more, about going for it!”

Meet Regina: Quality control staff member Regina came to Global Mamas looking for a job that would allow her more time on the weekend to go to church and run her hairdressing business. At Global Mamas, she learned how to conduct quality control and caught on quickly: “It's important to be really careful and make sure the product is perfect before we sell it.” Outside of Global Mamas, Regina is passionate about singing. She’s the lead singer at her church and has even recorded an album. She dreams of one day being a gospel star.

To women around the world wearing the products she’s checked for quality, Regina says, “Thanks! You make our products go far!”

Regina Tetteh, Bead Assembler (Odumase-Krobo, Ghana)

“Prosperity, to me, means that one day I will own my own store.”

Meet Regina: Regina is very happy that she decided to apply for a bead assembler job with Global Mamas. Since she began, Regina has entered some of her own creative beadwork in design competitions, learned about healthy exercise, and become friends with her coworkers. Though soft-spoken and shy, Regina has big dreams for the future. After learning more business skills and further developing her creativity at Global Mamas, Regina would like to use her sewing skills to open her own dress shop.

When asked to share a word or two with the people who purchase her products, Regina says, “Keep buying our products!”

Rita Agbodra, Water Hyacinth Paper Maker (Akuse, Ghana)

Meet Rita: Rita is a Jill-of-all-trades who has worked in all areas of water hyacinth production. She is popular for being the face of the Fibers of Change Kpenu Video and known for being the life of the party. This is Rita's first time engaged in formal employment since graduating from high school last year. Since she started with Global Mamas she is proud to have improved on a variety of different skill sets, such as punctuality and interpersonal communication. “I want to climb the highest ladder of education, achieve the most out of life, and become a prominent person. With Global Mamas I have been able to save money and one day want to put myself through university.”

“I love the flexibility of Global Mamas, you can come in and learn how to do so many different types of jobs. My favorite is papermaking, I love the process it takes to make paper and working with different dimensions.”

Roseline Quartey, Seamstress (Prampram, Ghana)

“Prosperity means being able to purchase the things my family needs to live.”

Meet Roseline: Roseline has been a seamstress since she finished fashion school. She lives near the Global Mamas Ashaiman office and would often see an employee, Maria, walking to work. She stopped Maria one day to find out where she worked and heard about Global Mamas. Later that week, Roseline brought in samples of her work and was hired. Roseline enjoys working with her fellow seamstresses and batikers and notes that “our teamwork is excellent.” She and her husband are saving money to build a house to live in with their three children. Roseline has big dreams for her children, saying “I want my kids to go very far in their education. My daughter wants to be a doctor. She's the best student in her class.”

To the women around the world wearing her products, Roseline says, “We are trying hard to do good; we hope you appreciate our work!”

Sabina Efua Atta Assimoku, Seamstress (Moree, Ghana)

Sabina Assimoku is a good listener with a gentle and confident manner, traits that make her both a good mother and a successful business owner. Though she started sewing more than five years before joining Global Mamas, Sabina was able to increase her income, rent a workshop, and hire employees after becoming a Mama. Sabina is grateful that Global Mamas helps her business as well as her family, allowing her a paid maternity leave and providing her the salary she uses to pay school fees. In the future, Sabina wants to expand even further, but for now she looks lovingly at her baby son as she reflects, “Global Mamas has changed my life a lot. Global Mamas has improved my financial situation a lot.”

Sabina Hasford, Seamstress (Cape Coast, Ghana)

“The key to prosperity is letting everything go and being cordial with people. When you do this, you will help others more than you will ever know.”

Meet Sabina: A seamstress since 1975, Sabina learned to sew from her mother. After learning to sew, Sabina worked as the secretary for the Minister of Health in the Western Region of Ghana. During her time as a secretary, Sabina never stopped sewing. In 2008, Sabina joined Global Mamas with the help of a Peace Corps volunteer. She now designs custom clothing targeting tourists. Sabina draws inspiration from American films, carefully observing what popular actors are wearing in movies and replicating these outfits as best she can. Sabina’s proudest achievement since joining Global Mamas is that women around the world wear her clothing.

“It makes me very proud that women from all over visit me at my shop and say, ‘Wow! You are Sabina! You’re clothing makes me very, very happy.’”

Sabina James Boatemah, Soap Makers (Adenta, Ghana)

Sabina grew up among three brothers and four sisters in the town of Wenchi in Ghana's Brong-Ahafo Region. Before she came to work with Naasakle, she sold second-hand clothing throughout Accra to support her four children. Life has been difficult for Sabina since she lost her husband in a car accident, and she also supports her mother in Brong-Ahafo, who has suffered a stroke. She likes working with Naasakle, but wishes production were a constant necessity so she could work every day and further support her mother.

Sarah “Adwoa” Aggrey, Seamstress (Cape Coast, Ghana)

Sarah Aggrey plans for the future with each decision she makes, and is grateful to see her pragmatism pay off. Sarah took up sewing almost 20 years ago because she believe it would provide her with a secure source of income, but when she found herself with sole responsibility for her daughter, she needed a new plan. After hearing about Global Mamas, Sarah decided it would be in her best interest to join. Since then, Global Mamas has enabled Sarah to expand her business, support herself, and help her daughter pay for school. “I am proud to be able to send my daughter to nursing school,” she says.

Sarah Adjei, Seamstress (Cape Coast, Ghana)

“I will know I have achieved prosperity when I can build a house on my land. I know Global Mamas will help me to get the money I need.”

Meet Sarah: A seamstress, Sarah first heard about Global Mamas when helping her friend and fellow Mama batik new product designs. Since becoming a Mama herself, Sarah has earned enough money through her Global Mamas orders to put her three children through university and to expand her seamstress shop by purchasing extra machines and training apprentices. Any volunteers who stay with her are greeted with a big smile and an open heart. Teaching the volunteers how to wash laundry and make local foods are experiences she says she will never forget. When not working, Sarah listens to Gospel music and dreams of the house she will one day build on her land.

To everyone around the world wearing her products, Sarah says, “I would tell my customers I am happy now because of Global Mamas. Now I can support myself because I have too become a somebody.”

Theresa Mensah, Seamstress (Cape Coast, Ghana)

Theresa joined Global Mamas in 2009. After completing a one year apprenticeship, she was able to open her own dressmaking shop. Theresa is a wife and a mother of three girls who are all in school. With money she has earned since joining Global Mamas, she fixed her broken sewing machine and bought a television and DVD player for her family. She enjoys cooking and being with her family in her free time. She hopes in the future to be able to buy her own apartment and to be able to buy new clothes for herself.

Theresa Tawiah, Bead Assembler (Odumase-Krobo, Ghana)

“Prosperity means being able to support my children.”

Meet Theresa: A mother of four, Theresa began working with Global Mamas so that she could better support her family. A former farmer, Theresa grew corn and cassava and found that farming wasn’t lucrative enough to support her family. She’s pleased that since coming to work for Global Mamas, she can better support her family. Theresa is proud to have seen one child become an eye doctor and another finish senior high school, and she has high hopes for her two younger children to finish their education and begin careers. Theresa is also proud to own her home and shares it with nine family members.

When asked what she’d like to share with those who buy her products, Theresa says, “I am happy that you buy our products because it’s our livelihood.”

Veronica Amanor, Seamstress (Prampram, Ghana)

“Prosperity means you’ve achieved something, like skills and the ability to support yourself.”

Meet Veronica: Seamstress Veronica went to a three-year sewing program at a vocational school and started working at Global Mamas soon after. She also apprenticed under an established seamstress and hopes to one day pass on the favor by owning her own shop and training apprentices. Veronica’s favorite Global Mamas product is the Emi dress. When she’s not at work, Veronica helps her sister Gertrude with her batiking business; Gertrude is using her profits to put herself through school. Veronica also enjoys singing in her church’s choir and cooking her favorite dish, okra stew.

To the women around the world wearing her products, Veronica says, “Keep on buying our products and tell your friends!”

Veronica Anim, Seamstress (Cape Coast, Ghana)

Veronica Anim knew from a young age that she wanted to become a seamstress—and has now been a seamstress for ten years. Her original customer base came to her shop and requested products; she is happy to say she can sew anything. Joining Global Mamas in 2007, she says, gave her the right amount of work. Now, Veronica works primarily for Global Mamas, but when she has time, continues to do work for her own customers. Working for Global Mamas has enabled Veronica to send her four children to school and keep them healthy. She has also expanded her shop to hire another employee and take on an apprentice. It is exciting, she says, “that people in other parts of the world are buying and wearing my clothing.” Thinking to the future, Veronica would like her business to grow to where she could hire more employees, as well as buy land, build a home, and raise her children there.

Veronica Maulepee, Bead Assembler (Odumase-Krobo, Ghana)

“I will have prosperity when I can support my family.”

Meet Veronica: Formerly a seamstress, Veronica was experiencing health problems due to working conditions. Since becoming a bead assembler at Global Mamas, she’s been healthy. The oldest sister of four and mother of one, Veronica is happy to work at Global Mamas so that she can start saving money and support her family. On the weekends, Veronica takes care of chores like going to the market and doing laundry. She enjoys going to church on Sundays, where she is a member of the choir.

When asked what she’d like to share with those who buy her products Veronica says, “Global Mamas is good, come and buy our things.”

Victoria Angmore Narkie, Beadmaker (Odumase-Krobo, Ghana)

“Because I work with Global Mamas, I can save money. That's what prosperity means to me.”

Meet Victoria: Victoria has been selling her brother's beads with her sister Barbara Tetteh for more than 17 years, as it is her family's tradition that women sell beads made by the men. Victoria's market table displays her vast collection of multicolored beads. Victoria says that the large, reliable orders from Global Mamas have increased her income by 30 percent. Because of this additional income, she and her husband can send their children Lawrence, Sandra, Amanda, and Beauty to school.

When asked what she’d share with those who purchase products made from the beads she sells, Victoria says, “Beads don't spoil. They last forever, so you should buy beaded items from Global Mamas!”

Victoria Dapaah, Quality Control Champion (Akuse, Ghana)

Meet Victoria: Victoria loves fashion, and she is always happy and ready to learn. Global Mamas enables her to be independent so she doesn’t need to depend on her parents anymore. Victoria feels relaxed working with Global Mamas. During the weekends and days off, she takes care of herself and spends time with her family. “The thing I am most proud of in my life is the job I have with Global Mamas.” It brings her peace and prosperity.

“Everything is possible when you work with Global Mamas, they teach you how to be independent and empowered.”

Vida Donkoh, Seamstress (Cape Coast, Ghana)

Vida Donkoh has always been a self-starter, choosing by herself to start a career as a seamstress before working on her own. When she struggled to pay her bills, Vida’s sister suggested that Global Mamas could help her gain financial independence like they have for so many other women. Since following this advice, Vida is now making enough money to save for her dreams and child's future education. Her favorite part about this partnership is working with good and trustworthy people, along with the satisfaction of the finished product. “Global Mamas has helped me a lot and made me happy.” She says, “The income earned is good and steady, and I like the way Global Mamas staff talks with me.”

Vivan Akotia, Quality Control (Odumase-Krobo, Ghana)

“Prosperity means supporting my 18-year-old sister’s education.”

Meet Vivan: One of two quality control staff members in Krobo, lighthearted Vivan joined Global Mamas after working in catering. She’s happy that she’s learned new skills here, like assembling beads, and she says that she loves all the products she checks for quality. She says Global Mamas is a “nice and good” place to work and hopes to continue her career here. When she’s not at work, Vivan spends her time with her family or at church and does laundry every Saturday.

When asked what she’d share with those who purchase the products she checks for quality, Vivan says, “Buy our products because they are made of very beautiful and rare beads.”

Vivian Sawer, Bead Assembler (Odumase-Krobo, Ghana)

“Prosperity, to me, is being able to pay for my daughter’s school fees and having some money on the side.”

Meet Vivian: Vivian, a bead assembler, loves working at Global Mamas because she can express her creativity through her work. Her favorite products to make are necklaces. Since she started working for Global Mamas, she has been able to save money and support her daughter Ophelia’s education. She hopes her daughter will choose to become a nurse when she grows up. When she is not working, Vivian likes singing gospel music at her church and spending time with family. She hopes to one day go back to school to study business.

When asked what she would like to tell the people who buy her products, Vivian said, “They should keep buying so we can keep producing!”