Jambiani is located on the east coast of Unguja Island, which is the largest island of the Zanzibar archipelago. Jambiani has a population of about 7000 people as shown in the census of 2012.

Most inhabitants of Jambiani are fishermen or farmers, but due to recent changes, their incomes are now meager. Prices of commodities have risen, while incomes have fallen sharply. This poses a great problem to local residents. There are an estimated 900 to 1000 farmers, which fluctuates depending on climate and weather conditions. The number of fishermen resident in Jambiani is between 1350 and 1500. The remaining residents work in government sectors such as schools and dispensaries. Some are self-employed, others find work in the local guest houses and hotels.

Tourism is important to the local economy of Jambiani. There are a variety of hotels, houses, and private houses, some owned locally and some by foreigners.

As elsewhere our people need education, health care and clothing - not to mention healthy food and clean water. To improve the quality of life of Jambiani residents we need support. We need help to improve housing as well as education and nutrition.

Housing is key to ensuring that people in this village are able to lead happy and healthy lives. Quality shelter is vital, alongside adequate toilet provision. Presently, human waste can often be found along the shoreline as locals often have no other viable alternatives. Besides the more immediate concerns of disease prevention, this additionally poses a real threat to ensuring the continued influx of tourism into the area. Malaria is also a problem, and provision of mosquito nets is an urgent requirement. Clean water can only be guaranteed for locals as long as contaminants are kept out of the water table.

Maintaining a good diet is hugely important to Jambiani residents. Locals rely on employment  so that they can buy healthy and nutritious food. Several people grow seaweed to make money and this is one of the most important jobs for women in Jambiani. Most men are employed as fishermen and farmers. Fishing activities have frequently affected coral reefs, with many areas dead or dying, in addition to fish stocks reducing as areas for laying eggs dwindles.

Farmers are finding increased difficulties as deforestation and logging of trees for firewood (and for making charcoal)  has greatly reduced the fertility of the soil. Reducing the rate of removal of trees is vital to ensure not only the quality of the soil, but the quality of life of all locals. Residents depend heavily on trees and trees also depend on them in reducing soil erosion.

To help with these issues Feel Zanzibar Tour & Safaris decided to explore every possibility of helping the village.

Feel Zanzibar Tours & Safaris is a business with deep roots within the Jambiani sands! A registered company with the Zanzibar Government (No.: 338 / 2012), we propose joining with the community to improve our village and environment.

Feel Zanzibar Tours & Safaris was established in July 2010, initially with five people. Previously, our members worked in different hotels and have gained vital tourism experience. Hasu  Suleiman, Director of Feel Zanzibar, was instrumental in promoting the idea of using the tour company as a means for helping the local community: through helping to clean the beach, open spaces and by planting trees.

Jambiani has had many challenges of late; the temperature of the sea is rising year by year with coral, fish and seaweed dying as an inevitable result. Other factors have led to a significant reduction in the number of tourists visiting Jambiani.

The women of Jambiani are suffering as seaweed farming that they rely on for income has been badly affected. Previously, seaweed farmers numbered between 350 and 400. Now that number is as low as 50. Those remaining have seen their incomes reduced by a third - from around 90, 000 shillings per month to 30, 000. Seaweed farming has historically been a hugely important job to the people of Jambiani - without it many struggle to survive. To assist with this  problem, the people of Jambiani need support. Feel Zanzibar are looking to gain assistance from government institutions, NGO's and private individuals.

Our Objectives

We aim to encourage school children, adolescents and adults to all collect rubbish from the beach, roads and public spaces. Rubbish will be collected in one place for sorting, composting and safe disposal. Feel Zanzibar plans to liaise with ' Creative Solution Zanzibar' in order to coordinate the recycling of plastics and glass. An opportunity exists for locals to earn much needed money from this venture.

The local community will assist Feel Zanzibar in planting more than 600 trees each year, to improve the environment and shade for the villagers of Jambiani. Community interest in helping and getting involved is high and support to realize our objectives is strong.

However, the villagers of Jambiani require instruction and guidance in carrying out these works and Feel Zanzibar hopes, with additional assistance, to help them.

Where do you fit in?

Currently we have plenty of willing and able bodies prepared to undertake the required work - however, we desperately need financial support to buy tools in order to complete the project. Feel Zanzibar has already organized the preparation of hundreds of trees in a nursery ready and waiting to be planted in the village. Transport for the distribution of seedlings, trees and workers is also a necessity. Seeds, plastic bags for refuse collection, dustbins, wheel-barrows etc. all must be bought for the project to be a success.

Please join us in this self-help project by sending your financial support. This project directly supports the local community with 100% of proceeds going into local hands.