The Bibi Club

Grandmothers ('bibis') have always played an important role in the upbringing of children in Tanzania. In recent years, the huge loss of a middle generation through the AIDS epidemic has led to grandmothers being the sole provider of care to many orphans. Of the 100 children attending the Zawadi School, 62 are orhans and 40 are living with their grandmothers.

In 2007, the Project took a decision to start a scheme to support these wonderful women. 16 'bibis' are employed as storytellers at the Zawadi School, enabling them to earn a small amount of money, while the children benefit from learning about the traditions of their society. There are 3 gardening 'bibis' who are employed to grow vegetables, which are then sold and proceeds go to the School.

Each month, a 'Bibi Club' lunch is held at the school, at which the storytelling grannies receive a special meal and a small donation of flour and beans.

The costs of running this scheme, the latest initiative of The Changarawe Project, are met by the Nigel Lloyd Fund. We are looking at ways in which the scheme can be expanded to enable more grandmothers to earn money.