Every Artisan's Hands Carry a Story

One day in 2017, Rebecca Young received a message from a remote village in Tanzania.

There, she met a group of women artisans who created beautiful handmade baskets using traditional techniques passed down through generations. Despite their remarkable craftsmanship, they faced one major challenge: They had no reliable market for their products.

"They had incredible skills, but no way to reach customers.

It was heartbreaking to see products that

took weeks to create remain unsold."

While working in Tanzania, Rebecca encountered many artisans and artists facing the same reality. Talented individuals were producing high-quality handmade goods, yet very few had access to urban markets or international buyers.

The Problem Was Not Their Skills, But Market Access

Across Tanzania, many people rely on small businesses and self-employment to support their families. Women artisans, in particular, often balance household responsibilities while producing traditional handicrafts. However, limited access to markets makes it difficult for them to earn a stable income. Even when opportunities to sell their products arose, another challenge often stood in the way: The Middlemen.

Many intermediaries took advantage of artisans' limited options and offered extremely low prices for their work. As a result, artisans frequently received far less than the true value of their products. Over time, many were forced to abandon their craft in search of other income sources. As this happened, valuable traditional skills and cultural heritage were also at risk of disappearing.

That's Why Make it Matter Was Created

Rebecca began asking herself a question:

"What artisans need is not temporary aid,

but sustainable access to markets."

This belief led to the creation of Make it Matter. Make it Matter is more than a handicraft store. It is a social enterprise that connects artisans to customers, supports brand development, and helps artisan businesses grow sustainably.

Today, Make it Matter works with more than 1,500 artisans across Tanzania, helping bring their products to local and international markets. The artisans determine their own prices, and payments are delivered directly to them through mobile money services, ensuring that even those in remote communities can benefit fairly from every sale.

When Artisans Succeed, Communities Thrive

The impact of Make it Matter goes far beyond sales.

Through this platform, artisans have been able to send their children to school, purchase land, and launch new businesses.

One woman artisan expanded her business and now works alongside 14 carpenters. Another held her first solo exhibition and established herself as a professional artist.

Make it Matter is particularly committed to creating opportunities for women and young people.

"When women earn income, local economies grow.

When mothers earn income, families become healthier

and children are more likely to stay in school."

This belief is at the heart of Make it Matter's mission to empower women through economic opportunity.

Caring for People and the Planet

Make it Matter believes that social impact and environmental sustainability go hand in hand.The organization promotes products made from recycled glass bottles and reclaimed plastic materials, while prioritizing environmentally friendly packaging practices.

In addition, Make it Matter has supported environmental initiatives that have planted more than 60,000 tree seedlings. By supporting handcrafted products, customers are also contributing to a more sustainable future.

Creating More Opportunities for Artisans

Today, Make it Matter is preparing for its next stage of growth. Currently, artisans are paid after their products are sold. In the future, however, Make it Matter aims to provide advance production funding so artisans can create products without worrying about upfront costs.

This approach will provide artisans with more stable income opportunities while enabling the social enterprise to scale its impact sustainably. Many people have the talent to create extraordinary products. But not everyone has access to markets.

Make it Matter serves as a bridge, ensuring that skilled artisans receive fair compensation for their work and the opportunity to pursue their dreams without compromise. Your support goes beyond helping sell handicrafts. It creates opportunities for women and young artisans to build sustainable livelihoods, strengthen their communities, and preserve Tanzania's rich cultural heritage. Join Make it Matter in supporting the change that begins at the fingertips of Tanzanian artisans.