China and Zanzibar vow friendly cooperation.

BEIJING, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday met with Ali Mohamed Shein, president of Tanzania's semi-autonomous region Zanzibar, with both men pledging to boost mutual friendly cooperation.

China and Tanzania are "all-weather" friends, Xi said, noting that the two countries both agree to build and develop a comprehensive partnership based on mutual benefit and win-win cooperation.
As an important part of China-Tanzania relations, cooperation between China and Zanzibar can be moved to a higher level, he said.

Both sides should strengthen communication and planning, effectively implement existing cooperation projects, explore new fields and channels, expand and deepen cooperation at sea and in other areas such as agriculture, fishing, tourism, human resources training and healthcare, Xi added.
Chinese president stressed that China encourages more Chinese enterprises to invest and develop in Zanzibar.

"The development of Africa, a land full of hope and vitality, will be unlimited," Xi said, looking back to his African tour in March.

He pointed out that China is willing to strengthen solidarity, as well as promote common prosperity with African countries, in a bid to elevate the new strategic partnership between China and Africa to a new level.

For his part, Shein said Zanzibar is grateful for China's longstanding support and assistance.
"Being good partners hand in hand in mutual support and trust, we would like to expand exchanges and cooperation with China," he said.

In a separate meeting with Shein, Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao noted that next year China and Tanzania will mark the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, and the two nations should carry forward the traditional friendship.


For more information on travel to Zanzibar or Safari holidays please follow the links or call: 01227 753180

Expanding Vegetable Farms in Zanzibar

Around the small village of Fuoni, just outside Zanzibar City, are fields of okra, tomatoes and peppers. These vegetable plots are not just the result of one season's farming. They also represent three years of hard work to create Umwamwema, a farmers' association with over 200 members.These farmers have been working to increase their food security and income through enhanced productivity. Zanzibar is a small island of just over a million inhabitants, the majority of whom are subsistence farmers.

Tourism has become the major industry in the last 20 years, but Zanzibar farmers are scarcely benefitting from the estimated one million tourists that visit the island each year. Tourist attractions include sandy beaches, colobus monkeys, giant tortoises and others. Once famous for its spice plantations, much of Zanzibar is no longer cultivated and 80 per cent of the vegetables supplied to the hotel industry are not from the island: the majority comes from Dar es Salaam, a hub for vegetables grown in the more fertile areas of Tanzania. Five years ago, Omari Abdullah faced numerous challenges in accessing markets and selling his vegetables.

Poor roads, limited transport facilities and most crucially, no storage facilities for his vegetables, forced him to sell whatever he had for whatever price he was offered. "If you're loading your valuable tomato crop onto the roof of a dala-dala (minibus) and on top of it is a bike, a sofa or some suitcases, your vegetables will be ruined," says Khadija Rajab, senior Tanzanian Agricultural Productivity Programme (TAPP) coordinator.

"By the time you get to market you're competing with all the other farmers selling the same thing, and your tomatoes are squashed! You have to sell because there's nowhere to store your produce. It's a no-win situation for Zanzibar farmers." With input from Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), Umwamwema was able to access international seed and soil experts such as Danny Coyne, working for the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Tanzania.


For more information on Zanzibar or Safari Holidays please call: 01227 753180

Client Feedback - Kichanga and Essque Zalu

Dear Bruce,

Just back to wet and windy UK after a fantastic 7 days in Zanzibar.
Although it was low season we really loved it- so peaceful.  There was some rain (not every day) and it never stopped us enjoying ourselves.
The contrast of the two hotels (Kichanga Lodge and Essque Zalu) worked really well for us – thanks for helping and guiding us to these choices.  I know I am picky and you really helped me.  Staff in both places were so friendly and unstintingly helpful. The highlights for us were the colour of the sea at Essque and beautiful sand and coves at Kichanga, lunch at the Rock and the walk back along the beach front going native at Nungwi and getting a sunset cruise on a rickety but wonderful old boat for $20 each rather than the $150 each the hotel would have charged. The monkeys at Jozani  Forest – you could get so close and they weren’t bothered

Asante sana!


Sue


For more information on holidays to Zanzibar please follow the link or call: 01227 753180

Tanzania: Plans Underway to Re-Admit Five Thousand School Children

Children, who have decided to return to school after a long period of absenteeism in primary schools, mainly rural coastal villages in Zanzibar, are being provided with school uniforms ready to resume classes.

But not all are smiling to go back to school life! A total of 65 children in the wards (Shehais) of Charawe (17 children), Uzini (07), Marumbi (25) and Chwaka (16), in Unguja South region were among the latest to have received uniforms, shoes, handbags for books and stationery.

According to the project coordinator, Ms Shekha Dau, 195 out of the targeted 300 children have already been given uniforms in the four Shehias. The Tanzania Media Women Association (TAMWA) is implementing the project under the supervision of the Save-the-Children International.
Shekha said that most of the children back to school were saved from chronic absenteeism and child labour, after several months of awareness program for parents, children, teachers and members of different communities in the islands. "This has been the result of the nationwide awareness to ensure that children are not exploited for hard labour and also they are back in class for their future," said Shekha after handing over the uniforms to the groups of children in the schools in the mentioned areas.

She asked the children to remain in school until they finish the compulsory education and aim higher education if they want better life in future. She also asked parents to work hard in persuading children to be in school. Most of the children are of age between 12 and 15 years. Unfortunately, three out of the children who received uniforms to go back to school, decided to abscond due to undisclosed reasons.

The three young children have handed back the uniforms and other equipment, saying they are no longer interested in school! "This is a disappointment that some children are not smiling to go back to school. I think some parents just do not care, but it is important for parents, teachers and members of the community particularly the elderly to join forces to make sure that all children remain in school," Shekha emphasises.

Shekha is joined by several children rights groups that each parent of a child, who is of compulsory school age must ensure that their child is enrolled and attends school on every school day, unless the parent has a reasonable excuse. Parents are ultimately responsible for ensuring their children attend school and work in partnership with teachers to maximise student attendance. All schools should: identify absences quickly; follow-up promptly and send clear messages to students and parents that attendance is vital.

For more information or to book at trip to Zanzibar please call: 01227 753180