Global Mamas Online - Meet the Women

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Marian Barker, Batiker
Batiking & Sewing Center (Cape Coast)

Marian completed her batik training with Gifty Saah, another Global Mama. After leaving Giftex in 1996, she opened her own batik workshop and store in Cape Coast. However, in 2005, her store was robbed, leaving her without equipment or the means to restart her craft. She turned to catering to earn money and eventually felt secure enough to go back to batiking.

By 8:30 in the morning, she opens up her workshop called "In God We Trust". Before Marian and her assistant start work they spend a few minutes in prayer. Most of their work is done in front of the workshop, on the shaded veranda. Everything they need is carefully brought out from the small storeroom: the stamping table is set up, the fire is lit to melt the paraffin wax, and the pails filled with water for dyeing. If she starts on a new order, Marian's first job is to cut the cloth to the required lengths and then the precise art of stamping the wax patterns onto the fabric can begin. The more complicated patterns can take 3 or 4 days to complete, but wet weather can slow things down if the cloth can't dry out between stages.

Marian is obviously proud to be Ghanaian. "We don't have enough money but still we have peace" she says. "Other people, when they have too much money, people are always chasing them. If you have a little money, you are okay." 
Since Marian joined Global Mamas in Spring 2006 she has:

* Earned twice the monthly income she earned as a caterer.
* Helped her to look after her mother.
* Placed two orphaned girls through school.
* Hopes to have saved enough money to open her own orphanage.

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