Why We Do What We Do

At Neema Crafts we believe everybody has great gifts and potential. We all have talents, skills and abilities; we are all loved and valued by God and should give each other respect and dignity accordingly. We believe that no-one lacks the ability to work and to create something beautiful, but what is often lacking is the opportunity to do so, especially for people with disabilities in Iringa.

Neema Crafts aims to create those opportunities for people who have been considered to be without potential or ability; and to change negative attitudes towards them.

In Tanzania approximately 10% of the population are classified as disabled. In the district around Iringa town this figure creeps up to nearer 15%. Most of these people are considered a burden on their society and their family. For most, it is hard to imagine how a disabled person could support themselves, let alone a family and their neighbours. Neema Crafts is seeking to show that there is another way.

We train disabled people to become skilled artisans, or great chefs, or micro-solar engineers, giving them a good salary so they can afford to build a house, support their family, send their children to school and help out a neighbour in need. By doing this we are changing attitudes in society. Recently one of our workers came into the office with a huge smile on his face. I was asked for money by a person in need this morning!' he said. 'A few years ago, before Neema Crafts existed, that would never have happened!' He was so proud he now had good standing in the eyes of his neighbours.

We also train disabled people who we do not have the space to employ in skills, which can help them earn a living in their community and we run a physiotherapy centre to help make sure at least some of the next generation of disabled children can grow up with much reduced disabilities (to see how you can help us in these areas please look at our current projects page). Neema Crafts also seeks to advocate on behalf of the deaf and disabled to Government, both local and national, and to other N.G.O.'s to highlight what can and what must be done to help.

Neema Crafts is a project of the Anglican Church of Tanzania, in the Diocese of Ruaha. We are motivated by Jesus' example to serve people on the margins, the poorest of the poor. Be assured that we welcome and serve people of all faiths, both genders, all ages, all abilities and disabilities, no-one is overlooked or excluded. This also applies to volunteers and those who wish to partner with us in providing practical help for people with disabilities. Everyone is welcome and appreciated!