The maize in the breakfast porridge, the soap in the sanitation blocks, the uniforms the children wear and the sanitary kits that keep girls in class are all made by women in Tarime, and supplied to the schools Care for Africa works in.
Care for Africa needs soap for the sanitation blocks, maize for the breakfast program, uniforms for the schools and washable sanitary kits for the girls.
All four are made a few kilometres away, by women in the same district, and Care for Africa buys them.
That is not a nice-to-have arrangement bolted onto the programs. It is how the programs are supplied. The Surubu Mamas make 10,800 bars of soap a year, and production has doubled. The Bisarwi Mamas produce 150 litres of liquid soap, 90 for the school handwashing program and 60 for the community. The maize that feeds 6,500 children every school day is bought from farmers in Tarime.
The money stays in the district, and the program pays for itself a little more each year.
Four centres, eighty two women.
Little by little we can do it. 24 women.
Established 2016, built with the Boat Harbour Craft Group of Tasmania, “The Ties that Bind Us,” led by Barbara Minahan. Australian builder-teacher John Crick worked alongside the Bisarwi women and the wider community, with Abdallah Obedi overseeing the build. Twenty one sewing machines. Community clothes and school uniforms, soap making, agriculture, catering, and the Days for Girls program producing washable sanitary products. Adult education classes in bookkeeping, entrepreneurship, environmental management, law, marketing and tie dying.
Chair: Rebeka Lucas.
Peace. 16 women.
Started in 2008 with a group of women who rented a tiny room two days a week. Care for Africa gifted twenty treadle sewing machines. The centre itself was completed in 2017, funded by Jo Stubbs, a member of the Boat Harbour Craft Group and a long-standing Tasmanian supporter. A second building, Jo’s House of Love, is finished and in use for sewing. It was built as a refuge and welcome centre for the women and girls of Mtana.
Chair: Julius Muhindi.
Surubu Women. 22 women.
The centre was completed in 2021, sponsored by the Rotary Club of South Launceston, Tasmania. The Surubu Mamas make 10,800 long bars of soap a year, and have doubled production.
Chair: Veronica George.
20 women.
This year marked a significant milestone for the women of Komosawa with the opening of their new Women’s Enterprise Centre.
Care for Africa has worked alongside these remarkable women for many years, watching their determination, confidence and entrepreneurial ambitions grow. The new centre provides them with a permanent place from which to build their businesses, generate independent incomes and create greater financial security for their families.
The impact extends far beyond the women themselves. As their businesses grow, so too does their ability to improve their homes, educate their children and invest in the wellbeing of their families, creating a ripple effect of opportunity throughout the wider Komosawa community.
We are deeply grateful to Ruth Temple-Smith, who rallied support and made the centre possible. Their investment has provided these women not simply with a building, but with the tools and opportunity to continue writing their own story.
Rebeka Lucas chairs the Bisarwi group and coordinates the empowerment of women program across all four centres.
The women of Bisarwi thank Care for Africa for giving us help to change our lives. Care for Africa did not tell us what to do. Care for Africa listened to what we wanted and worked with us to help us to be the best that we can be. Before Care for Africa came to help us, we were stuck and we could not support our families properly. We are now becoming self-sufficient and able to support our families and other community members. Our husbands now have a lot of respect for us. We are proud to let you know that we are sponsoring eight orphans who had no homes and were not able to go to school.
Diana Butler OAM, Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Abdallah Obedi, Country Manager
Rebeka Lucas, Chair Bisarwi Women’s Centre (Haba na Haba)
Charity donations of $2 or more to Care for Africa are tax-deductible in Australia.
Since 2006, Care for Africa has been a catalyst for positive change in Tarime, Tanzania, by empowering women. Through partnerships with local women’s groups like the Bisarwi Mamas, Surubu Mamas, Mtana Mamas, and Komosawa Mamas, we’ve supported countless women in improving their livelihoods and contributing to the betterment of their families and communities.
Diana Butler OAM – CEO
Abdallah Obedi – Country Manager
Rebeka Lucas – Coordinator Empowerment of Women
Women’s economic empowerment is widely recognised by governments, international development institutions, and businesses globally as essential for human progress, thriving economies, and business success. This is why gender equality and women’s economic empowerment are key priorities in the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda
These women have flourished under our guidance and financial assistance. They’ve established successful businesses producing essential goods like:
These entrepreneurial ventures have not only generated income but have also significantly impacted the local schools and communities.
By empowering women, we’re breaking down barriers, unlocking their potential, and creating a more equitable and prosperous future for people in the Tarime communities.
Every woman in the women’s centres has been able to build her own brick house with a tin roof and concrete floor — transitioning from a mud hut with a dirt floor to a safe, dignified home.
Key achievements of the women’s groups:
Keeping Girls in School: The Dignity They Deserve
Many girls in Tarime, Tanzania, miss out on school every month simply because they menstruate. Without access to basic hygiene products and proper sanitation facilities, managing their periods becomes a significant challenge.
Girls miss up to 20% of school days each year because of lack of sanitary products.
Care for Africa is Changing Lives
At Care for Africa, we believe no girl should miss school because of her period. That’s why we’re working to provide reusable menstrual kits, sewn by local women’s groups, to girls in need.
Here’s how your support can make a difference:
Education is Key
Education is a powerful tool that can break the cycle of poverty. By keeping girls in school, we’re empowering them to reach their full potential and build brighter futures for themselves and their families.
Join us in making a difference. Donate today and help girls stay in school!
Together, we can ensure that periods don’t hold girls back from achieving their dreams.
BISARWI MAMAS
SURUBU MAMAS
MTANA MAMAS
KOMOSAWA MAMAS
We have supported the women’s groups by providing the equipment and products needed to make soap. Each woman receives specialist training to learn the skills required to produce high-quality soap. Before this program, soap was scarce and expensive in their communities. Now, it is both accessible and affordable.
The demand has been so great that the women can barely keep up. The Bisarwi Mamas are producing 160 litres of liquid soap annually for the community and our rural school handwashing program, benefiting over 6,000 children across nine community schools. Meanwhile, the Surubu Mamas are making 10,800 long bars of soap each year, further ensuring communities have reliable access to this essential product.
The women of Bisarwi thank Care for Africa for giving us help to change our lives. Care for Africa did not tell us what to do, Care for Africa listened to what we wanted and worked with us to help us to be the best that we can be. We are now set up in business and have had a good education. Before Care for Africa came to help us, we were stuck and we could not support our families properly. We are now becoming self-sufficient and are able to support our families and other community members. We are proud to let you know that we are sponsoring eight orphans that had no homes and were not able to go to school. Our husbands now have a lot of respect for us. Before Care for Africa came along, we had no work and our husbands did not respect us much. We appreciate and thank Care for Africa for all they are doing to make our lives better. Long live Care for Africa.
Volunteer, fundraise or make a donation.
“Haba na Haba Tunaweza” (Little by little we can do it)
Sponsor: The Boat Harbour Craft Group from Boat Harbour, Tasmania “The Ties that Bind Us” led by Barbara Minahan
Chair: Rebeka Lucas
Building coordinator: John Crick (Australian Volunteer) and Abdallah Obedi
“Haba na Haba” was established in 2016 funded by The Boat Harbour Craft Group, Tasmania “The Ties that Bind Us”.
In 2016 a centre was constructed in Bisarwi with hugely enthusiastic participation and drive from the local community. Australian builder-teacher, John Crick, with the assistance from Australian volunteer, Wayne Skipper, worked with the Bisarwi Women and a range of community members, with Abdallah Obedi overseeing the whole project. Together they created the “Haba na Haba” Centre for the Empowerment of Women.
Programs
The women are busy making garments and school clothes for members of the Mtana community and nearby communities. This has become the main source of income for the women. There are currently 21 sewing machines installed for them. Approximately 16 women are using the centre on a daily basis. The women have earned great respect from their husbands and other community members through the development of this program. They have become role models for their peers and families alike (delete). This social enterprise development will ensure a sustainable income stream for families who maintain a strong relationship with the Boat Harbour Craft Group, which is rewarding and beneficial to both groups.
“Amani” (Peace)
Sponsor: Jo Stubbs
Chair: Edward Tagagas
Building coordinator: Abdallah Obedi
The Mtana Women’s Group was initiated and established in 2008 with a group of women in the Mtana community. Through consultation and support from Care for Africa the Mtana Women’s’ Group “Amani” was formed. Their main income was sewing, mending clothes and agriculture. Twenty treadle sewing machines were initially gifted from Care for Africa. The women originally rented a tiny room for two days a week to conduct their business.
Through the sponsorship and funding from Jo Stubbs the 2017 the Centre was completed. Jo is a member of the Boat Harbour Craft Group and is a longstanding Tasmanian supporter and sponsor of Care for Africa.
In another initiative, Care for Africa collaborated with the Tanzanian Government to establish a sunflower oil extraction plant in the Women’s centre. The community impact with this program is estimated as reaching over 30,000 local Mtana and neighbouring people. The Tanzanian Government purchased the plant equipment and provided training sessions for the local people.
We now have a second building for the women and children of Mtana called “Jo’s House of Love”
This is being constructed as a refuge and welcome centre for women and girls of Mtana
Programs
“Wanawake Surubu” (Surubu Women)
Sponsor: The Rotary Club of South Launceston, Tasmania
Chair: Veronica George
Building coordinator: Abdallah Obedi
The successful construction of the Surubu Women’s Centre has just been completed.
Programs
