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KUFAA TENA is WOMEN'S VOICE
Bwejuu Women’s Cooperative & Recycling Project

K e e p i n g   Z a n z i b a r   B e a u t i f u l
Kufaa Tena (Kiswahili: to be useful again) is a project that started when a group of women in Bwejuu began re-using plastic bags that littered street and beaches by turning
them into beautiful and sturdy handbags, baskets and similar items.   This work of Kufaa Tena, now also known as Women's Voice, was instrumental in supporting the
Zanzibar and Tanzanian government's 2006 landmark ban on the import of plastic bags--the first such national law in Africa and one of the first in the world.  Kufaa Tena/
Women's Voice continues today as  a textile-based cooperative that still re-uses debris such as clothing and broken glass from the beachfront in their evolving "green-sewn"
non-electric design and decoration business.   Their primary aim is still to help us keep our Zanzibar villages, towns and beach fronts clean while providing a means of
self-sufficiency for local women and resources for local schools.  Kufaa Tena began in Zanzibar March 2005 with major support from the Zanzibar Youth Educational and
Development Support Association (ZAYEDESA) in cooperation with the USA /Tanzania-based Osiris Enterprises and the Zanzibar Tourist Corporation.          
In 2006 Tanzania/Zanzibar
became the second government
in Africa (after South Africa) to
ban the import and use of plastic
bags.  Since then, Kenya,
Rwanda and Ethiopia have
followed suit.

Hooray!!! for Zanzibar and kudos
to Kufaa Tena for being a part of
this significant milestone.  
On mainland Tanzania in Dar es
Salaam, a plastics recycling plant
has been established.  

Tanzania is on the move! and
Kufaa Tena has moved on to
their next recycling projects:
recycled glass and tile mosaic art,
reclaimed textile crafts and
eco-sewing.  Keep watching our
site for our newest re-creations.

For more information on Kufaa
Tena/Women's Voice, contact
coordinator Zakia Kibuda at
255-777-455-796
or 255-713-104756.  For inquiries
outside of Zanzibar and Tanzania,
contact umtambuzi@sbcglobal.net

Thank you for supporting our efforts.
NOW AVAILABLE!!  Kufaa Tena/Women's Voice one of a kind AFRIDESIGNS
contemporary African centered styles for men and women, as well as the limited
remaining supply of Kufaa Tena Recycled Handbags and Baskets.  Use PAY PAL to
purchase Afridesigns at $25-$50 each in the USA.

CLICK HERE



and Rest Safe, Secure and Assured as you Help Us Keep Zanzibar Beautiful
Zanzibar Loves and Congratulates U.S.
President Barack Obama.  A little-known
fact is that President Obama's grandfather
lived in and received his name (Barack)
from Zanzibar.  
In honor of this, Kufaa Tena/
Women's Voice created the Barack Obama
Chef's Apron and Multi-Use SackBag from
the traditional kanga cloth
in red, yellow or blue.
L-R Above: mudcloth trimmed congo barkcloth textured sleeved queen wrap, lined. free size. $25; sleeved
queen wrap, lined iridescent burgundy green beige. free size. $25; one shoulder black gold metallic striped long
dress, tanzanian kitenge cloth trim.szd 8-14. $35
L-R Above:heavy warm 'bubu coat' with mudcloth trim and faux fox collar. free size.$50; iridescent aged bronze
senegalese style buba dress matching headwrap. free size.$30; brown beige sheen textured billow dress with
plum and gold senegalese bogolan belt szd 6-12. $40; deep red imported senegalese cotton lace bubu black
green underskirt matching headwrap. one size. $30
L-R Above: warrior wear. man's full length bubu, leather shieldplate and crown, kente emblems. free size. $40;
red black green heart shield dashiki, black low sheen durable fabric. free size. $30; black w/gold pinstriped lined
long dress tanzanian kitenge fabric trim and straps szd 6-14. $30
SOLD