Neema Crafts - Stories

In 2008 a UK Journalist interviewed many of the workers at Neema Crafts, she compiled these into a book which is now in it's second edition with updated stories. Below are a few of the stories as told by the workers themselves. The book is on sale at Neema Crafts Centre and also through our online shop. An inspiring read and a perfect accompaniment to the purchase of a gift from Neema for a friend. Give the stories behind your gift as well and it will say a whole lot more!

Stephen Mwapesile, 38.

Working at Neema meant I could stay with my wife and get married. Both her family and my family didn’t want me to be with her before I had a job. To marry you have to be in a good position financially, which I wasn’t and both our families could see I wasn’t going to be able to provide for her. Her father told me I could not marry her. But when Neema appeared and I joined as one of its first workers, their views changed, because they saw I could earn a good living, and we were allowed to marry soon afterwards.

Neema has helped me integrate into society and has improved my life hugely. It came along all of a sudden and just at the right moment for me too. Stephen

I was thrilled and very excited. I had earned respect from my family, which felt like winning a massive victory. Before, they had practically despised me for the burden I was on them and my home life was really unhappy. I felt isolated and constantly left out because of my disability. I never had enough power in my leg or arm to do the things other youngsters did, because of polio and growing up I felt like a waste of space, it was so difficult to get employment.

Neema has helped me integrate into society and has improved my life hugely. It came along all of a sudden and just at the right moment for me too. I started making paper, then moved onto necklaces, bracelets and the solar panel workshop. It was much more profitable than my previous job selling vegetables and stamps. I learned so many new skills and I was able to be among other workers in society. I think it’s shown both the people and the government our talents.

I stayed in the workshop for two years before becoming an out-worker. I made the decision to do so because I was still struggling to support my family and this meant I could sell other items besides the jewellery I was making. I have two children to support, plus my wife and mother and father and her parents. I’m now selling jewellery plus sweets, books and Neema micro-solar panels on a stall in town as well as making jewellery for Neema and I’m getting good money.

I’m saving up so I can buy some farming equipment one day to cultivate crops and I’d also love to build my own house.

Batram Lwambano, 35.

Carpentry runs in my blood. I studied it at the disabled college in Mbeya and I did it for a living before coming to Neema, so when I saw I could do it here, I was really pleased. It was great to discover there was a job available for me here as it’s very seldom the disabled get jobs.

I began by making special chairs for disabled people to go in the physiotherapy unit here. I also help with papermaking. Working with other disabled people was an exciting thing to see. I feel like I’m doing positive things for other people. Life’s better than before and I feel better about myself. As a worker, I feel I have more respect from society too.

I feel better about myself. As a worker, I feel I have more respect from society too. Batram

My parents had a negative outlook on disabilities when I was young, so they didn’tsend me to school. I was lonely as a child and I felt like I had no right to go. I was always at home in the village and it was difficult to meet other children. But when I was a teenager I managed to receive some sponsorship to go and learn a new skill – this was carpentry, after studying for two years I asked my family to help me buy tools to start my own business, but they said no because I was disabled.

Eventually a missionary helped me and I worked in the trade for five years. I was very happy to finally be working. It felt like I was proving people wrong, but business was not good because many customers would not ask me to work because of my disability. I caught polio when I was three, which affected my leg. I have to use a stick to support myself everywhere I go, although I have a tricycle from Neema to get to work on.

I want to put my children through school and build a good house with the money I make at Neema. Life with children is tough – I have four and a wife to support, but Neema’s helped me financially with loans and with organising healthcare. It’s also opened the government’s eyes. It gives out a very positive message and shows we don’t need to be isolated and segregated.