From Waste to More Productive Things

 What a waste!!!

 Last week Malcolm reported that the ‘Maji Taka’ was needed to clear a cooking fat burg from the septic tank (he also was misled by Google Translate. Instead of the whimsical ‘Water Taxi’ Maji Taka actually means the more earthy ‘Sewage’!).

 When staff arrived at work on Monday the septic tank was once again full – this time with rainwater. There had been very heavy rain over the weekend and rainwater had seeped in through the cracks in the concrete side walls of the tank. Time to call out the Maji taka again, but first to dig out the surrounding earth to repair the tank walls.

 

Enough of Sewage (at least for the time being). Onto more productive things.

The workers at SAFI comprise of some paid employees, but also trainees who are developing skills to set up their own ‘micro-enterprises’ - Independent organisations of 2-4 people  who, once trained, will run their own craft businesses. They may then use project facilities as a place to work, market and sell their products. In total there are about 25 employees and workers that rely on SAFI for their income. The day starts witha staff meeting for a short bible study, prayers and notices for the day

The paid staff include Jema and Grey. Jema is the finance manager, who in addition to running the finance office also has a range of other responsibililities such as handling personnel issues, and liaising with the tax authorities. 

Whilst here Malcolm is spending most of the time working with Jema to help develop the financial reporting systems.

Grey is the tailoring teacher. Though not deaf his skills include knowing sign language to communicate with the trainees who all have hearing/speech impairment.

One of the main objectives of SAFI is to enable disabled adults to earn a good living through employment, or by building up their own businesses / ‘micro-enterprises’. 

One of the ‘micro enterprises’ is called ‘Zawadi Toys’ which is run by 4 people. One of their main products are dolls including a mermaid with long, flowing hair. (Readers will realise that mermaids are difficult to see, but Malcolm is hoping to take a photograph of one before too long!)

Another ‘micro-enterprise’ is ‘Land & Coast’. The 2 ladies make a range of intricate jewellery. As with all the craft products made at SAFI, these are sold through the shops on site and at Slipway in Dar es Salaam.

The project also has a Carpentry workshop. One of the specialities is to make a range of furniture, such as tables and chairs. These are often to order, though they are also available through the Slipway shop. The workers include John, who has hearing impairment, and Elenadje who has a physical disability.

Most of the workers at SAFI are deaf, including the support staff, such as the cooks, who make meals for the workers. 

Though they appear basic, being located in a partly converted container and covered area part funded by the church Malcolm attends, the staff facilities are good by local standard and each work-day produces nourishing meals. 

Tanzanians rely on a simple diet such as rice, beans and spinach or ugali (cooked maize), beans and spinach. For many Tanzanians meat is a luxury reserved for special occasions such as Easter and Christmas.

Although Malcolm usually eats at SAFI, either a staff meal or one from the commercial SAFI café, on Sundays when the project is closed alternative arrangements are necessary.

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Last Sunday Malcolm went with Ben and Katy and their family to a local Tanzanian buffet (help yourself) restaurant where he enjoyed a luxury meal of fried chicken, chips, rice, water melon and matooke (a stew made from savoury matooke bananas (known as plantains in the UK).