Updated June 2010
ZAP Philosophy
African aid is a contentious subject, for many potential donors are sceptical as to how much of their money really reaches those for whom it is intended. They are anxious, too, that it should be spent not only on those most in need, but also on the projects which make the biggest difference to the community.
From the beginning, ZAP was convinced that the most effective way to provide aid is to listen to the people themselves, and as far as possible respond to their needs. We believe that we should be sensitive to the balance and culture of the community, and not impose our western values where they may do more harm than good.
We have therefore worked hard to set up a partnership between ZAP and the local community in Jambiani. This has been achieved through regular meetings and consultations with many of its members – from the local doctor, school teachers and village elders to the young and hopeful students, mothers, fathers, and many people who have menial, poorly-paid jobs. It has often been said that ‘every African charity should have their Mr Pandu’ – we are so fortunate to have him as our manager on the ground, and he is now joined by the redoubtable Mr Vuai, an extremely intelligent and philanthropic teacher. Mr Vuai is a great asset, with excellent administrative, IT and computer skills. They are the best of buddies, and make a most effective team – between them they run all our projects and keep first class accounts of all ZAP funds.
It is very encouraging to report the steady growth of ZAP – not only in concrete terms, but also in the acceptance and co-operation that we experience from the people themselves.
Annual review of projects 2009/2010
You can read detailed reports on two of our projects below:
A ground-breaking initiative sponsored by ZAP with the following aims:
- regenerate and sustain the local economy
- disseminate skills throughout the area, in an apprenticeship scheme
- expand the range of skilled Fundis to include carpenters, joiners and other trades.
Zanzibar and, in particular, the south-eastern area which includes Jambiani, Makunduchi and Paje suffers from a lack of qualified tradesmen (‘fundis’ in Swahili). Skilled workers are scarce and are often brought over from mainland Tanzania – sometimes from as far afield as Nairobi or Dubai - leaving the local population unable to take advantage of the gradually improving local economy.
Though some distance from Stone Town, and essentially devoid of industry, the area has a steadily growing tourist industry – it is also popular with second home owners such as politicians and wealthy business men.
In response to this situation ZAP established an innovative Vocational Bursary Scheme whereby young people, carefully selected by the Village Committee (they must live in Jambiani, and undertake to return to the village once qualified), have been sent to a variety of excellent colleges in Stone Town for vocational courses lasting between one and three years.
Since 2006, ZAP has funded the college fees, educational tools and day-to-day living expenses of young villagers, including a waiter, a chef, two plumbers, two electricians, two motor mechanics and a an aircon/refrigeration engineer. ZAP Director, Mr Pandu, oversees their financial and pastoral needs, and monitors their progress with a great deal of care and insight.
ZAP Directors from the UK have been closely involved with the scheme, visiting the colleges many times, and holding meetings with the tutors involved. Attention to the students’ needs away from their homes has been a priority; for example, a ‘soup kitchen’ was set up in Stone Town where all the trainee ‘fundis’ can meet each day and be sure of good, nutritious meals. To hand out money to the young people money for living expenses is futile; so strong is the tradition of close family ties that it would likely be siphoned off for the perceived greater need of sick relatives or other urgent family demands.
Despite Mr Pandu’s best efforts, we were sanguine about the likelihood of all the young men managing to complete the three year course; however in 2009, all seven tradesmen qualified with flying colours.
We have now set up a base in Jambiani from which the fundis can ply their trades – known as the Jambiani Fundi Workshop, it consists of secure premises where they keep their tools, materials and supplies. Mr Vuai is their manager; his task is to oversee their various jobs, to keep their accounts and to help them to be business-like. They have had lessons in recording appointments, issuing estimates and raising invoices – all completely foreign concepts in a rural village. ZAP has purchased a motor bike for Mr Vuai and in time we shall provide more transport for them all.
ZAP has been very fortunate to gain the services of volunteer Marcus Collie during the initial set-up of the JFW. A retired business man from Ireland, Marcus spent 3 months in Jambiani during 2009, working tirelessly to make sure that everything started off on the right foot. Click here to read his reports.
To date, all the fundis are gainfully employed and we have had glowing reports of their standard of workmanship. Unusually for Zanzibar, they have been trained in up-to-date technology and the use of modern materials and equipment. It is early days, but we feel optimistic that the ‘JFW’ will build on its good reputation; as their confidence grows and they gain more experience the fundis will take on the training of local apprentices and eventually achieve the aims stated above.
Finally two carpenter fundis have started their training in Stone Town. We are immensely grateful for substantial sponsorship from a Charitable Trust, earmarked specially for the JFW which has enabled all this innovative venture to go forward.
The re-building and enlargement of Mr Vuai’s premises is now completed; it has office space for ZAP and for the public internet service, all ZAP computers and office machines have been moved from the school and we have bought a number of desks, chairs and an aircon unit. A kind donor has taken out 6 computers and some IT software and promises 10 more computers in the summer.
The main function of the room, however is as a private community academy, the first of its kind in Jambiani and a brief explanation is needed of our decision to shift ZAP’s educational focus from the mainstream village school.
In retrospect, we were naïve to think that we could make a difference by working within the existing government-funded system. Systemic problems with secondary schools in rural locations are too deep-rooted and complicated to grapple with – though goodness knows, we have tried! In two subjects particular - English and Maths - standards are woefully low, and this is due to the shortage of skilled teachers. And yet from Form I onwards, lessons and exams now have to be in English. – it’s an Alice in Wonderland situation, making no sense at all.
We – and the qualified voluntary teachers we have sponsored in the past – have felt some frustration that their hard work in Jambiani skuli has not had a lasting effect. There are several reasons for this: under-funding by central government, uninspired leadership and general apathy among poorly-paid staff. Ever since ZAP has been in Jambiani, we have been aware of the ‘out of hours’ tuition being given to the brighter and more ambitious pupils who wish to progress from Form IV in the secondary school to Forms V and VI in Stone Town. Janie herself has been involved in these lessons, given by Mr Vuai and Mr Suha in dimly lit and stifling hot rooms in the evening. She was impressed by the eager enthusiasm of the pupils and the robust and effective skills of their teachers who give of their time entirely free. Furthermore, every pupil in the upper forms of Jambiani school who succeeds in passing higher examinations to Stone Town relies heavily on this extra tuition.
Last year, Mr Pandu asked ZAP to help with the expenses of children who have to go to Stone Town living apart from their families whilst attending Forms V and VI, and the pupils themselves wrote to ask us to help with exam fees. We were happy to do this, and will continue to support them for as long as is practicable – these are the seed corn, so to speak, of the community at large. All of them are thirsty for better education and each one of them has vowed to do what they can to help other children coming along behind.
All these factors, taken in conjunction with our eviction from the school computer room last October (see previous newsletter) have conspired to point to the present solution. Now there is a light, bright cool room, properly equipped, where quality teaching can be given free to those children who so desperately want and need it. Computer, IT and business skills will be taught to all ages and as an added bonus the Jambiani Fundi Workshop will have its administrative headquarters under the same roof. Public internet connection means that many tourists will visit the Academy, and this should have an excellent effect in improving further PR for ZAP.
We are fortunate to have an increasing number of applications from skilled teachers in the UK and beyond who want to spend some months helping out in Zanzibar. Now we have the premises and the infrastructure to drive this aspect of our work forward, and Mr Vuai is in communication already with several of these individuals. Already on ZAP payroll as a computer teacher for the past six years, we have complete faith in his abilities, and in his suitability to preside over the new JAMBIANI COMMUNITY ACADEMY. We believe that our support for him, for Mr Suha and for this great new facility will be amply rewarded in the future.