Meet Our Family: Mzee

Margaret and Emma is founded on the mission of helping rural women and men improve their lives by providing them with a means to make a living. Each artisan that works with us has a unique story. They are bold, they are determined, and they are valued. We cherish our family, and part of our mission is to share their stories.

Meet Mzee:

In honor of Father's Day, we wanted to introduce one of our male artisans. Mzee is an elderly widower who lives by himself in Rubanda district. He is a member of the Hamura Sub-County Women's Group.

Mzee is one of only a few male artisans working with Margaret & Emma. The local women's group allowed him to join in order for him to support himself. After he joined, started to teach woodworking to young men in the community. He hopes that by training men in woodworking skills, they will be able to positively contribute to their homes.

Mzee's hand carved walking stick and traditional shield.

The women in his group have already seen the change in their husbands. More couples are working as a team to support their children, women are feeling valued, and respected, and husbands are feeling accomplished. In a place where women are often viewed as second class citizens, it is wonderful to see how traditional woodworking can change the way men and women work together.

Mzee shows how traditional skills can help empower the next generation. Because of Mzee, local communities are beginning to see a change in the way men contribute to the home, and by extension, women are being treated with more respect.

Men and women working together can change the world. We are proud to have men like Mzee working in tandem with our women's groups, and grateful to have Mzee in our Margaret & Emma family.