Weaving a better future

Over the years, Farm Africa has helped hundreds of forest-reliant communities develop forest friendly enterprises that improve livelihoods while promoting forest conservation. One community member still feeling the impact of a project set up in the Nou Forest in Tanzania 20 years ago is raffia weaver Martina.

“My name is Martina. I have always been a weaver. My parents taught me how to weave. It’s a traditional craft in this area. One of my daughters weaves like I do.”

Martina, explains:

“Before joining the Farm Africa project, our weaving group sold the things we made at the local market, but the prices we got were very low. At that time, I couldn’t afford to send my children to school. When they were young, I used to think ‘please don’t do well, because even if you do well at primary school, I can’t afford to send you to secondary school.’

Members of the Mengwa Women Group getting the raw materials used to make mats.

“When we joined the project in 2005 we learnt how to market our raffia products. Farm Africa advised us how to get registered and how to get our business licence. We learnt how to make ourselves known. At the end of the project, we were connected to buyers.

“We started going to different markets and exhibitions. We began getting advance orders. This meant we earned more money – it became easy for me to send my children to school!

“This business has been very important in our lives. Traditionally in our community, women do not work or earn money. It was difficult for the men to accept what we wanted to do. But now, they can see that this is something that brings in money and helps our families, and they encourage us to continue.”

Members of the Mengwa Women Group are weaving a mat together.

This story is from our 40 years of impact booklet. Find more case studies and download the booklet below.

Photo credit: Michael Goima