The Story of Mary Unique Designs

From one sewing opportunity
to a movement of women

This is the story of Mary Nduta — a woman who received an opportunity, developed her gifts, and began creating opportunities for others.

01Where It All Began

The Global Bag Project

Every meaningful journey begins somewhere. For Mary, it began with a sewing opportunity that would change the direction of her life.

The Global Bag Project, developed by David and Karen Mains of Mainstay Ministries, set out to offer an alternative to plastic and paper shopping bags while creating an income for marginalised women and their families. Handmade, reusable bags became more than household items — they became a way for women to earn through their skills.

Mary and Linda Renner smiling together in the sewing room — Mary with Linda Renner

02A Partnership Begins

Meeting Linda Renner

Linda Renner first met Mary at a school guest house, where Mary worked in the laundry. Mary had taken sewing classes, and after her working day she would join Linda to sew blankets and quilts for the guest house beds — sharing stories as they worked.

Behind Mary’s talent was a difficult reality. Her part-time income could pay for food or school fees, rarely both. So when the Global Bag Project began, Mary was the first person Linda asked to join her.

Read our tribute to Linda

“We used to sleep hungry with my children. Sometimes if we got supper, we couldn’t get breakfast.”
— Mary

Mary at her sewing machine surrounded by colourful kanga fabrics — Mary at work among her kanga fabrics

03Designing With Purpose

A bag that looks African

The project needed a practical bag: sturdy enough for heavy groceries, washable, reusable — and unmistakably African. Linda gave the dimensions; Mary did most of the designing, working out how to construct the bags and bring every element together into a professional finish.

For colour, they turned to the kanga — the cloth East African women wear every day, in every colour and pattern imaginable. It gave each bag its character, and its story.

“I was just amazed at the ability she had to do this all on her own — thinking these things up, putting them together so that they looked professional.”
— Linda Renner

Mary in her sewing room in the early days of the project — Mary in the early days

04A Turning Point

When an income changes everything

The impact was personal and immediate. Earning through her sewing meant Mary could put food on the table and pay her children’s school fees — without borrowing.

She had not been able to continue her own studies, so she was determined her children would. And she began to think like an entrepreneur: designing on her own, working out how to sell, and planning how to grow.

“If I had a chance to continue with my studies, I think I could be someone else today. Since I didn’t get that chance, I’m there for my children — for them to be great people in future.”
— Mary

Women learning hand skills together in a training session — Women learning together

05Opportunity, Multiplied

Creating work for other women

As the bag-making grew, Mary employed her first team member, Tabitha — a woman caring for her 85-year-old grandmother. One small product was now supporting food, education and employment beyond a single household.

For Mary, it was only the beginning.

“I can employ more women, because there are so many other ladies out there who are suffering.”
— Mary

A special acknowledgement from Mary Unique Designs

With gratitude to Linda Renner

Asante sana

Linda Renner, who worked alongside Mary in the Global Bag Project — Linda Renner

Mary and Linda working together in the sewing room — Mary & Linda, side by side

We honour and extend our heartfelt gratitude to Linda Renner, whose partnership with Mary during the Global Bag Project became an important part of the story behind Mary Unique Designs.

Linda recognised Mary’s sewing ability, worked alongside her, and helped open a door through which Mary could develop her skills and explore new possibilities.

Through their collaboration, making reusable shopping bags became more than a sewing activity. It became a way for Mary to earn an income, support her children’s education, grow in confidence — and begin to imagine a future in which she could employ and empower other women.

Linda’s recollections preserve an important part of this history. Her story reminds us that meaningful change can begin when people share their skills, recognise another person’s potential, and choose to build something together.

“It’s been just a joy to work with her and watch how she’s pulled this all together.”
— Linda Renner

Carried across an ocean

Linda’s husband, George, often carried Mary’s bags with him to the United States to deliver them to clients — a quiet, generous sacrifice that helped those early orders reach the people waiting for them.

Passing the baton

As the years have passed, Linda and George have stepped back from the day-to-day work. What they helped begin has grown: Mary now leads her own projects, training women across Kenya and building the business they once helped set in motion.

Thank you, Linda Renner, for being part of the beginnings of this journey.
Your place in this story will always be remembered with gratitude.

Mary Nduta & Mary Unique Designs

06 · Then & Now

From the Global Bag Project to Mary Unique Designs

Mary in the early days of the Global Bag Project — **Then** — learning, designing, providing for her family

Mary Nduta today, founder of Mary Unique Designs, in Nairobi — **Now** — founder of Mary Unique Designs, Nairobi

The Global Bag Project gave Mary the foundation: a chance to apply her skills, design products, earn an income and see herself as a businesswoman. From there she built her own enterprise — Mary Unique Designs.

Today, based in Nairobi, Mary visits villages and communities across Kenya to train women in practical skills and help them earn. The bags remain at the heart of the business, still made from kanga and fabrics from cultures across Kenya — and every one carries a story.

In Her Own Words

Watch Mary’s Story

The Vision Ahead

Be part of the next chapter

Every bag sold helps Mary train another woman and open the door to income and independence.

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From one sewing opportunityto a movement of women