MEET THE MAKERS
Previously known as Musana International, Mabira Collective received its name from the beautiful rainforest that borders our workshop in Uganda. The name “Mabira” represents to our community and customers how the women of the collective grow together and stand strong and resilient, as do the trees of the forest.
We employ 20 women full-time and over 200 women part-time. Behind each piece of jewelry is a story.
Hover over the photos below to learn more about a few of the Mabira makers.
Birungi Cissy joined Mabira in 2012, and quickly showed incredible management capacity. She now travels throughout East Africa sourcing raw materials for Mabira. She is also Mabira’s self-appointed fashion guru.
Nakyazze Sharifa began as Mabira’s first full-time chef, but while the beans were boiling she would try her hand at jewelry-making and showed incredible capacity as an artisan as well. She loves learning new recipes from visitors from around the world.
Naluyange Cathy is the mother to five boys (including two sets of twins!), and Mabira’s Production Manager. Due to her employment at Mabira, she was recently able to move her family from one of Lugazi’s rougher slum communities to an apartment with running water!
Though Nanteza Rosette can come off as quiet at first, her traditional dance skills prove otherwise. She is our lead jewelry designer, with an eye for beauty and an impressive ability to turn ideas into functional products.
Namulondo Suzan, “Mama Suzan,” truly is a mother to all at Mabira, and has been nominated as the artisan spokesperson who reports to the management when women are having trouble in their personal and family lives. She loves to bake.
In addition to jewelry-making, Nakamya Joyce took out a loan from Mabira to start a peanut-growing business. During harvest season, she is able to hire and oversee over 30 men to work her land! Her almost constant laughter is contagious.
Management team
From left to right: Nagawa Madiina, Finance Supervisor; Ndyose Naome, Assistant Manager; Kyambadde Christina, Managing Director; Ochitti Grace, Education Specialist; Naluyange Cathy, Production Supervisor; Birungi Cissy, Purchasing Officer