MAKING A DIFFERENCE TOGETHER
We believe in putting people first
HOW DO WE MAKE AN IMPACT?
At Obakki, we believe in putting people first. Our artisans are part of our extensive global family—and the ability to sustain themselves and their communities—will always be our top priority as a company.
The Obakki Foundation exists to ensure that our artisans have access to basic needs and the opportunity to grow, thrive and provide for their own communities. Over half of our artisans receive support from the foundation––with over 30 years of proven results, and over 4 million people impacted, it truly is the beating heart of Obakki.
OUR IMPACT
Together, we’ve created meaningful change—and that’s worth celebrating.
4,000 CLEAN WATER WELLS
Access to clean water is the foundation of any stable economy or livelihood. You can’t focus on your craft—or anything else—when your basic needs aren’t being met. That’s why we’ve made clean water a priority.
To date, we’ve drilled or rehabilitated over 4,000 water wells around the world, providing millions of people with access to safe, reliable water. Whether supporting artisans or broader communities, we believe clean water is the first step toward long-term sustainability, health, and economic growth.
UKRAINE | HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
Since the start of the war in Ukraine, we’ve been supporting our partners on the ground with direct humanitarian aid—providing food, shelter, safety, and security to those most affected. We believe in stepping in where we can to make a tangible difference, especially in moments of crisis.
Now, our focus has expanded to include long-term support for Ukrainian artisans. Through active fundraising events and ongoing partnerships, we’re investing in creative communities across the country—helping preserve culture, provide income, and rebuild lives through the power of craft.
KIBERA Slums, Kenya Educational programs
In Nairobi’s Kibera community, many children are unable to attend school simply due to lack of financial resources. When we began working with artisans in this region, it quickly became clear that our support had to extend beyond economic opportunity. In 2025, we partnered with local families to enroll 80 children in school full-time—covering tuition, uniforms, and daily meals. And this year, we’ve expanded the initiative to include their parents, launching vocational training programs to ensure that opportunity begins at home.
SOUTHERN TURKEY, EARTHQUAKE RELIEF
A devastating earthquake struck southern Turkey. The impact was catastrophic, and among those affected were our artisan partners. Homes were lost, loved ones buried, workshops destroyed, and access to basic resources became scarce.
We traveled to the region to support our partners directly—funding emergency container homes, securing food supplies, and helping our weavers begin to rebuild. Now, we’re focused on restoring the local textile industry and ensuring these artisans can recover both their livelihoods and their lives.
Tlamacazapa, Mexico: 100 Rain catchment systems
For years, the weavers in Tlamacazapa have been drinking dirty water from a hole in the ground - plagued by diseases, the community has not been able to focus on their craft. We saw an opportunity to help, and to date we've implemented 100 rain catchment systems in households so they could focus on building their economy through their livelihood.
San Bartolo, Mexico ARTISAN GRANTS
Across rural Mexico, we’ve provided artisan grants to help makers strengthen and grow their businesses. These grants are designed to support practical improvements—from upgrading tools and materials to streamlining production processes—allowing artisans to increase efficiency without compromising traditional methods.
At Obakki, we believe that investing in people is the most powerful way to create lasting impact. By equipping artisans with the resources they need to scale sustainably, we’re helping them reach wider markets, grow their customer base, and build resilient businesses that can thrive for generations to come.
SAN PEDRO, MEXICO EDUCATIONAL GRANT
Moisés, a rural artisan in Mexico, is one of the few in the world practicing ethical silk harvesting—waiting for the butterfly to emerge from the cocoon before collecting the silk, a method known as peace silk. Committed to protecting the silkworm’s life cycle, he wanted to learn more about each stage of metamorphosis to help increase survival rates.
To support his journey, we sponsored Moisés to attend a specialized school in Colombia, where he studied the science behind sustainable sericulture. He returned to share his knowledge with his community—proving that innovation and education are powerful tools for preserving tradition the right way.
KIKORONGO, UGANDA MIDWIFE TRAINING
In Uganda’s remote Rwenzori Mountains, the women who weave our baskets face extraordinary challenges—especially when it comes to accessing maternal care in these high-altitude, hard-to-reach communities. In 2024, we funded the full medical training of a local midwife dedicated to serving mothers at the top of the mountain. She has now graduated and returned to provide critical care where none existed before. We’ve also built eight gravity-fed water points to support these women and their families. As both a foundation and a company, we remain deeply committed to standing alongside the women we work with—every step of the way.
Sustainable Skincare and Community Empowerment
This year, we partnered with co-ops in Uganda and South Sudan to train local communities on the benefits of harvesting natural ingredients like shea butter and balanite. These raw ingredients, which are key to our Obakki Skincare collection—help combat deforestation and empower women by creating sustainable jobs. All of our skincare products are crafted in Canada from these ethically sourced ingredients.
KIBERA SLUMS, KENYA WORKSHOP UPGRADES
Living in Nairobi’s Kibera community comes with daily challenges—made even harder when working in cramped, poorly ventilated conditions. Our jewelry artisans were based out of a single-room workshop with no proper airflow, risking their health every day just to create.
To support them, we built a new workshop designed for safety, collaboration, and growth. With proper ventilation and space to work, these artisans can now focus on their craft, their business, and building a stronger future—together.
AKILIBA, UGANDA ESTABLISHED LOCAL MARKET
Our foundation worked alongside the artisans of Akiliba to ensure they had a reliable place to sell their work—supporting them in establishing a local market so they could build sustainable livelihoods and send their children to school. Future security is essential, so we focused on creating income opportunities that didn’t rely solely on us.
With over 600 pots sold locally and internationally—and a feature in The New York Times—this artisan community is now standing strong, providing for themselves through their ancient craft.