Most Congolese do not want an handout. Most of them will offer to sell you an artifact. However, here's the problem. Most artifacts are not produced in enough quantity to break the cycle of poverty. So, the artist needs to sell it a higher price. Eventually, he prices himself or herself out of the market.
The poor rarely can produces enough art to break the cycle. The poor have to look to there own community to break the cycle of poverty. Good examples are mobile phones, clothes, basket, shoes, etc. Also, it can be food services and items, or even clean water. These items can be sold to the local community.
What's stopping them? Many times it is the capital needed to expand their market beyond the ones and twos. Microloans or microcredit provide the needed capital to these local artisans and business persons.
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