Kisiwa Art Farm eV
an island art project with the local NGO BWECODEO
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OUR VISION


In Zanzibar, women have very limited access to education and employment, as their traditional role is within the family. Consequently, their chances of leading self-determined, independent lives are extremely slim. We want to change this and offer support to women and children in Zanzibar. Our goal is to sustainably improve their lives through a partnership that respects both the people and their culture.
The key principles guiding us on this path are
empowerment, education, and sustainability.





Confidence Training
Confidence Training
Childcare Trommel-Worksho
Childcare Trommel-Worksho
Sewing School
Sewing School
Sewing School
Sewing School
Childcare Malen
Childcare Malen
Sewing School
Sewing School
Bibi Sabuni
Bibi Sabuni
Confidence Training
Confidence Training





BUT LET'S START FROM THE BEGINNING: HOW DID IT ALL BEGIN?

In 2021, Lara Ameir founded the Kisiwa Art Farm project. Lara was born in Germany, worked as a social and trauma therapist in Switzerland, and moved to Zanzibar, Tanzania, in 2019. She has lived there with her family ever since. During her first visit to Zanzibar in 2013, she fell in love with the island, its culture, and its people.

Zanzibar's society is predominantly Muslim, which brings many advantages, particularly regarding community cohesion. However, women do not have the same status as men, are dependent on them, and are expected to conform to traditional gender roles from an early age. If a woman deviates from this pattern, for example, because she doesn't want to marry or her husband has left the family, it can be a daily struggle for income and the family's survival. Lara quickly realized that she wanted to and could help these women. From then on, she dedicated all her efforts to this cause under the project name Kisiwa Art Farm.

WHAT IS THE KISIWA ART FARM?

Kisiwa means "island" in Swahili (the official language of Zanzibar). A full translation of the name would be "Island Art Farm"—a farm on the island of Zanzibar dedicated to art. And indeed, this farm exists. Lara and her family's property is home to many animal and plant species. It houses our association's offices, and you can even rent rooms for overnight stays. Since April 2023, we have been the non-profit organization Kisiwa Art Farm e.V., and since June 2023, the Zanzibari NGO BWECODEO (BWEjuu Community Development Organisation).


WHO IS BEHIND KISIWA ART FARM?

We are Lara, Julia, and Jasmin. Lara has already been introduced to you. Julia is a part-time nomad: in the summer, she runs her own lakeside beach bar, and during the winter months, she travels the world. Year-round, she's a creative spirit, a doer who has made it her mission to connect committed people so they can be stronger together and make the world a better place. Jasmin works in business and has been enthusiastic about the project ever since a vacation in Zanzibar. She became involved in social causes in her local community early on and found her passion project in the Kisiwa Art Farm. She manages the organization from Germany and, in addition to her family, has been actively supported by two former volunteers, Jana and Line, since the beginning of 2024.
Find out more about the Kisiwa Art Farm team .


HOW CAN WE HELP?

Kisiwa Art Farm eV unites various projects in Zanzibar under the professional project management of Lara and in cooperation with the local NGO BWECODEO.

1. Art and Adventure Childcare
Period : since December 2023 to present
Content : An art and adventure kindergarten for the children of our Sewing School participants and children from the surrounding area. Here they have the opportunity to experience loving, art- and nature-oriented care in a safe environment. Drumming and dance lessons as well as trips to the beach are on the weekly schedule. The food is freshly prepared every day and is partly planted and harvested together with the children.

2. Happy Hearts Nursery School
Period : from January 2025 to present
Content : The preschool for four- to six-year-olds allows our Art and Adventure Childcare kids to continue their non-violent education. Here, they are taught according to the Tanzanian curriculum. Of course, time for play, beach trips, and plenty of exercise is also included. A very special feature: Just like in kindergarten, the kids are outdoors all day! There is a roof over their heads for rainy days, but no enclosed spaces.

3. My Days My Choice
Period : Workshop takes placeas needed
Content : Education about menstruation by the trained midwife Johanna in Swahili, mainly for school classes at the Kisiwa Art Farm, open exchange about experiences, possible courses of action in case of bleeding or pain (handing out self-sewn, washable pads or menstrual cups to married women, yoga, nutritional tips).

4. Bibi Sabuni
Project Period : Since January 2022 to present
Content : Supporting elderly women in Zanzibar who do not receive a pension. Bibi Sabuni is Swahili and translates to "Soap Granny." Our Soap Grannies have small seaweed farms off the idyllic beaches of Zanzibar. The seaweed harvested here is processed into soap with great care and the addition of local spices. The soaps are sold at markets in Zanzibar, to local hotels, and through Kraftmischer GmbH. These earnings allow our Grannies to secure their livelihoods with just a few batches of soap.

5. Various sewing projects related to our Sewing School.
Period : from January 2022 to present.
Content : Sewing training primarily for girls and young women, but also for young men, by local sewing instructors at the Kisiwa Art Farm. The traditional fabric Kitenge is used to create outfits for the whole family on both battery-powered sewing machines (so-called butterfly machines) and industrial sewing machines. We also focus on upcycling and coaching: job-related, English language, and empowerment. The goal is financial independence and healthy self-confidence for all project participants.
Even after the project ends, orders are accepted from regional shops, such as upcycling for the Waka Wear Shop. This gives the women the opportunity to generate additional income alongside their regular employment.

6. Sea and Soil
Dates: Workshop takes place as needed.
Content : Protection of the marine and village environment through regular beach and village cleanups, as well as raising awareness of environmental issues through community cleanups and playful education of children about waste and its impact on our environment. In our Art and Adventure Childcare and our Happy Hearts Nursery School, crafting with waste creates an initial awareness of sustainability and upcycling.

7. Future Projects
The idea is to gradually integrate various projects into the Kisiwa Art Farm to support women and young people with diverse skills. Starting with sewing, we want to establish a form of training that produces skilled young professionals and secures a future livelihood for each participant... So stay tuned!

If you have any questions, feel free to email us ( jambo@kisiwa-art-farm.com ) or visit us on Instagram ( @kisiwa_art_farm_zanzibar_ ).


HOW DO WE FINANCE THESE PROJECTS?

To be clear: We rely on donations . Two euros can fund breakfast in Zanzibar. So, with a seemingly small amount of money, you can make a big difference! We promise that every euro donated will directly benefit our projects in Zanzibar (minus currency conversion fees). We aim to provide our donors with maximum transparency.

Every year we host a charity day at Gypsea. Anyone interested can drop by, get to know us, buy products, or participate in yoga, Zumba, and Pilates classes. The instructors of these classes donate their time to us, so the voluntary payments from participants go directly into the association's coffers. 

On this occasion, we would like to sincerely thank everyone for the fantastic support we have received so far! Without you, we wouldn't be able to make such a difference in Zanzibar!

In addition to private donors, we would like to highlight and thank the following organizations:



IMPRESSIONS FROM THE FARM

 

Sewing School Rooftop
Childcare Garten
Sewing School
Childcare Essen
Sewing School
Seegras Farm
Müllsammelstation
Beach Clean-up + Upcycling
Strandausflug