New toy business takes off in Tanzania
Dolls accessorised with recycled clothing prove popular for enterprising trainees
Photo: Victoria, Safiness and Zubeda are among trainees near Arusha, Tanzania, gaining new skills so they can earn a living
Over the next two years, more than 80 deaf and physically disabled people will be gaining skills to earn a living, thanks to SAFI, led by mission partners Ben and Katy Ray.
The team at SAFI’s centre near Arusha, Tanzania, is training people with disabilities and helping them to start micro-enterprises.
The first 14 trainees have already begun learning woodworking, jewellery-making, tailoring and more, and three young deaf women have established the first enterprise: Zawadi Toys. The women behind this first venture, Victoria, Safiness and Zubeda, are making the dolls, dolls’ accessories and other toys for sale.
Their unique selling point is that the dolls can be accessorised with clothing made with “mitumba” (recycled clothing).
“It has been such a joy having these beautiful artisans working with us and very fulfilling to see them grow in confidence as they learn new skills,” say the Rays.
“The toys are already a popular item at our Dar es Salaam shop and we ask you to pray with us that these women would grow in business acumen and the knowledge of God’s love for them as their enterprise grows.”
The next three micro-enterprises off the blocks will see SAFI trainees printing t-shirts and selling ceramic jewellery and wooden accessories, with many more businesses to follow over the next two years.
Ben and Katy started the charity SAFI to create livelihoods, enterprises and opportunities for people with disabilities, who are often stigmatised and marginalised.
People from Tanzania and East Africa come to SAFI’s training and innovations hub, deaf-run cafe and crafts shop in Usa River. Ben and Katy have also started a Christian fellowship that meets at the centre every Sunday, and they are planning to run an Alpha course soon.
