Darrell Palmer (LR-6) and Maryam Derdari (LR-6) met in Liberia as strangers. They were part of the first cohort of two-year Peace Corps Volunteers post-Ebola crisis.
Now, they are the owners of Craft to Heart, which sells a collection of goods produced by local artists from Liberia. A percentage of all sales go towards a civil rights platform in the United States called Color of Change.
It all started with an appreciation of the beautifully made goods they saw in Liberia.
“There [were] so many times in Liberia when I was just in awe of how skillful and crafty people were,” Maryam said. “We met people who are so resourceful and basically use all of what they can around them to make beautiful and unique pieces of art.”
They began to establish relationships with various local artists that they admired. They heard artists’ stories, received permission to share them, and bought their goods wholesale. Most of the artists they spoke with learned their trades in neighboring countries during the wars, and now use those skills to support their families.
One major goal for Craft to Heart is to establish a community of skilled artists where people can come to learn a new skill or trade. As both Darrell and Maryam said, it is not always easy to find ways to make money, especially the amount needed to pursue higher education.
“In my 3rd year, I was kinda crushed to see most of my former students graduate and move to the big city, only to wait around for a job that may or may not come. I want to empower those people to pursue their passions, skills, talents, and untapped resources they didn’t even know they have,” Darrell said.
In addition to donating a portion of their sales to Color of Change, they are also working on the logistics of sending a barrel of school supplies back to Liberia. They hope to return to Liberia in the near future to buy more goods and reconnect with their friends and family.
In the meantime, you can support Craft to Heart by clicking here to purchase on their website or following them on Instagram.