'Supporting people with special needs' - Visually impaired artisans in Tanzania turn waste into livelihoods

"In Dar es Salaam, disabled artisans are transforming discarded materials into decorative products, creating opportunities for income while promoting recycling. Footage filmed on Friday shows artisans at the AfriCraft initiative working in a local workshop, managing the entire production chain - from collecting and sorting waste to crafting and selling finished goods to clients, including hotels, tourists, and embassies. "From my perspective, having a disability is not a reason to stay at home, nor is it a reason to beg. People with disabilities have opportunities, they can study, they can be employed, and they can do many kinds of work if they choose to," said visually-impaired entrepreneur Enoch Elias. Elias added he has learned multiple skills across different materials, including making paper from cardboard boxes, producing bags, and working with newspapers. "Currently, I am in the glass section, where we cut bottles. Many people bring these bottles to us, and for those that are more valuable, we sometimes buy them. Once the bottles arrive here, we cut them and turn them into glass products." Fellow entrepreneur Neema Mohamed, who has a mobility impairment, explains the physical challenges while contributing to the enterprise. "First, transportation is a challenge, from leaving home to getting to work. Secondly, even at work, your performance may differ from others depending on the type of disability you have," she noted. According to General Manager Dalia Samwel, each purchase carries a dual purpose: acquiring a unique handcrafted item while directly supporting people with disabilities. "We work with people with various types of disabilities, some have no arms, some have no legs, and others are visually impaired. We collaborate with them in our work, so when a customer buys a product from us, they are also supporting the work of people with special needs," she concluded. Founded in 2004, AfriCraft began as a small home workshop with two employees and has since expanded to employ more than 200 artisans across Tanzania. The organisation focuses on empowering low-income communities and youth by creating jobs through recycling initiatives, while adhering to fair trade principles as a member of the World Fair Trade Organisation."

Go to News Site