For the past eight years, The Voice has been committed to creating better communities in Eastern Africa, and we at Aqua-Farms Organization were lucky to be part of these wonderful years filled with impactful stories of growth and commitment.
The Bahari Hub project was a major focus engagement we carried out under The Voice.
Well just so you know, The Bahari Hub Project was centered around empowering women in Buyuni, Kigamboni. This was to make sure their livelihood was impacted through imparted new skills that wrapped around craft making, painting, weaving, shoemaking but also making them become better stewards for marine conservation as well as creating tourist-attracting activities. This way, they could raise their income and improve their livelihoods.
Between January 2022 and 2023, Aqua-Farms Organization (AFO) implemented this project in the Buyuni ward, Kigamboni district, Dar es Salaam, with a focus on women’s economic empowerment. The project began with a needs assessment, leading to the formation of a women’s group. Tailored training sessions on entrepreneurship and environmental awareness were conducted, including specialized training in weaving, shoemaking, sewing, painting, and marine resource utilization. The goal was to enhance economic empowerment and promote tourism through craft creation.
Amina Molya, an entrepreneur from Buyuni, shares her experience as a member of the group. She highlights the community’s eagerness to explore new business opportunities beyond traditional fishing. After training and starting to produce products from marine waste, AFO assisted them in renting a shop space and provided initial rental fees, additional funds for startup purposes, and essential furniture. The women’s group demonstrates a commitment to beach cleaning and sustainability, capitalizing on recycling opportunities to turn waste into profitable assets.
Amina says, “Women in my community are now repurposing glass bottles into decorative items, promoting environmental stewardship and economic sustainability
From the 8th to the 10th of May at Bahari Beach Ledger Plaza, was an ending edge for The Voice’s tenure of operations in our region. This event was to enlighten The Voice about their impact over their tenure of operations and to also get to know what their beneficiaries learned or gained during the implementation of the projects.
The event space wasn’t a cold spot, a lot happened like team games and learning about Fundraising, even without The Voice’s help.
It wasn’t just a sad goodbye. We also celebrated the good times and learned important things. We talked about how to keep going and fundraise on our own. This showed us that we can still make a difference even without The Voice around.
As the days ended, we said our goodbyes, but the memories and lessons stayed with us. Even though The Voice is leaving Tanzania, the good will always be remembered. They’ve left behind a legacy of hope and inspiration that will keep going for a long time.
