PROJECTS ZAP Philosophy African aid is a contentious subject, for many potential donors are sceptical as to whether 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 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. ZAP Projects Medical - Support and assistance for the Government sponsored area clinic, through training of doctors and nurses and the provision of basic drugs, equipment and healthcare education.
- Enable newly-qualified or recently retired GPs, physios and nurses to travel to Jambiani in order to give practical help and education to the community.
- Respond quickly to any one-off medical emergency in the area, with money and practical assistance. (For example, during recent cholera outbreak).
Educational - Provide educational equipment from local African outlets for Jambiani School (1500 pupils) – text books, teaching aids, sewing machines, computers and photocopier – making sure that these are appropriate, and can be locally maintained in the future.
- Help defray expenses (particularly travel) for teachers from Jambiani school attending courses in Stone Town to improve their skills; conversely to help bring in qualified teachers from elsewhere to work in the village school.
- Enable volunteer teachers from the UK to travel to Zanzibar for short periods (2-3 months) to teach in Jambiani School, and to give extra-curricular lessons where appropriate. Click to read past volunteers' experiences.
- Fund extra-curricular courses in computing for the older children at the school.
- Provide computer lessons for other villagers wishing to learn IT skills. (ZAP has provided a laptop computer to assist with these)
- Run sewing classes for ladies in the new Sewing Room which ZAP has converted, and in which we have provided sewing machines and other necessary materials.
- Undertake costs of running the Ladies English class – taught by Jambiani School teacher. (very popular!), and in addition support incentives by these ladies to train as nursery school teachers.
- Provide 'porridge' for nursery school children, organised by English class ladies.
- New initiative – Teacher Training. ZAP is funding 2 students at Zanzibar University for a 3 year Degree course (Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology). Two further bursaries in English and Maths are available for suitable candidates. All these students are from Jambiani and are contracted to teach at the village school when qualified.
Vocational - Undertake training of young people from Jambiani in practical trades, such as electricians, plumbers, engineers and mechanics. These students are sent to Technical colleges in Stone Town; ZAP not only pays for the college fees and necessary textbooks or other equipment, but also supports their travel and living costs for the whole period of training.
- Encourage and support newly-qualified students to use their trades in Jambiani; at present there are almost no properly qualified technicians of any kind in the locality.
- To see a table in PDF format showing details (with costs) of this valuable training, including current job placements, please click here.
Water Project - As a result of the recent outbreak of cholera in the south of Jambiani, a Water Project Committee has been formed on their own initiative. They have produced detailed plans, researched and costed, to provide a source of fresh, clean water to these extremely poor sub-villages. Mr Vuai, the computer teacher is the Project Manager, and has worked tirelessly to raise funds from far and wide for this extremely urgent concern. Click here for more information on the water project.
- ZAP has been very fortunate to obtain a one-off grant payment by John Humphrys' Kitchen Tables Charity Trust (KTCT) of £5000 to construct the concrete water tank in the area. Click here to view this excellent Charity's work.
Disabled Association - ZAP has recently responded to the Village Committee’s request to give assistance to the disabled. This will take the form of support for their own initiative – to set up a cement and hardware store in the village (much needed, since the nearest depot is in Stone Town) – and for specialised education, eg. in sign language and Braille.
Full Projects Update A document detailing our Full Projects Update is available to to download here.
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