“MGENI njoo, mwenyeji apone” is a famous Kiswahili language axiom meaning “Let the visitor come, so that the host survives.” This saying reflects the common practice in many traditions around the globe, where when a visitor comes, life at the host’s home changes for the better, at least during the guest’s stay.
A host ensures that his or her guest
enjoys ‘good food’ and sleeps comfortably. Keeping the surroundings
clean is also put into consideration in many African homes in offering
the greatest reception to the visitor.
In many local homes, particularly in
villages, ‘delicious or special food’ is prepared during celebrations.
The axiom also indicates that the host is always eager to have a
visitor, because in most traditions, a guest carries along gifts which
change life.
This has been the case for the people in
Kijini and Mbuuyu-tende villages in North Unguja. “Best of Zanzibar” is
regarded as “Mgeni” to save and improve the living standard of Kijini
and Mbuuyutende residents by introducing sanitation and hygiene
awareness programme that will see children in schools learn and practice
cleanliness.
Parents and children are being educated
on how sanitation, hygiene and health are interconnected, while raising
awareness to villagers on the importance of using toilets, washing
hands, keeping the environment clean and drinking safe water.
A survey indicates that most inhabitants
of the twin villages do not use latrines and have no access to improved
sanitation facilities. Best of Zanzibar officer, Mohamed Issa Khatib
says that his organisation was to establish a multi-lateral community
development programmes, which include health awareness in Kijini and
Mbuyu Tende.
He says that the programmes also include
teaching English and mathematics and training people on better methods
of fishing. Khatib says in August last year, Best of Zanzibar initiated a
baseline survey for both Kijini and Mbuyu Tende communities in order to
determine primary challenges in the two villages.
The survey was led by Biubwa Ally Hamad
(head of research) and lecturer at the State University of Zanzibar
(SUZA) Department of Environmental Health. She worked with five research
assistants from the same University.
One hundred households were reached in
the survey in which heads of houses were interviewed for 10 days.
Village representatives or leaders and the North A District Commissioner
helped in the research.
“The findings were analysed by the
baseline research team led by Ali Idrisa Shante, an official from the
Depart ment of Statistical and Technical Support Services at the Office
of the Chief Government Statistician.
While focusing on matters of health,
sanitation and hygiene, Best of Zanzibar hired its first health officer,
Nahya Khamis Nassor from SUZA.
She planned and pre pared stages for the
implementation of a Health Education Programme. She teaches primary
school pupils and secondary school students as well Shehias and village
leaders.
“This programme also includes working
with local women groups to make soap alongside promoting health and
hygiene. Nassor says that the English and Mathematics tutoring programme
for Standard V-VI pupils all the way up to Form IV will be implemented
in the near future.
“Curriculum is being developed by the
Ministry of Education and Best of Zanzibar will support resources and
teachers’ salaries,” she says. Best of Zanzibar Manager, Tia Egglestone,
explains that “we are determined to make a difference in the selected
villages.”
Best of Zanzibar is the Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) initiative for Pennyroyal’s Zanzibar Amber Resorts
(ZAR) developing a multi-million US-dollar project at Matemwe coastal
villages in Unguja Island.
ZAR is a luxury tropical community
development committed to upholding the principles of Three P’s – People,
Planet and Profits -- to balance the standards of shareholders with the
needs of the community.
CSR initiatives include an
organisation’s voluntary commitment to contribute to the social welfare
of the society, culture, communities and environment in which it
operates.
Best of Zanzibar outreach works closely
with surrounding villages in North Zanzibar to address community
challenges through integrated solutions to develop sustainable
communities and responsible tourism practices.
The goal is to serve as a role model of
private/public partnerships by helping to develop sustainable
communities in Zanzibar. Egglestone says “the education was then shared
at Mbuyu-tende school with 512 students and 10 teachers and at Kijini
School with 809 students and 17 teachers.
The programme will continue with
community groups, local health clinics and the general public -- a
population of approximately 7,500.
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