Shanga, Tanzania
This social enterprise is proof of how easily a small idea can grow. A local Arusha resident made bead and marble necklaces for a Christmas fair that were such a hit with the locals, she needed some help to keep up with demand. That was all it took to plant the seed.
Shanga now employs 34 people with disabilities. Their aim is to reduce stigma, offer safety, facilitate training, as well as manage a glass recycling hub for the entire community.
I was lucky enough to spend time with everyone who worked here while I was travelling and working in Tanzania, and my mind was blown by the artistry in all of the pieces they produce and sell, as well as the organization’s ability to be essentially self-sustaining.
Local resorts and restaurants gladly bring by all of their used glass, and it is sorted by colour in bins on their property. From there, it is broken down, and then used by their resident glass blowers to create new magical pieces that are sold both in their own gift shop, online, and throughout Africa.
The enthusiasm for glass donations has reached almost more than they can handle and process on a daily basis, which is encouraging - given the work involved to transport all of the glass to Shanga.
A small sample of the amount of glass donated on a regular basis to Shanga. (Katherine Holland, 2024)
They also offer handmade beaded jewellery, textiles, and small gifts. Everyone has a different area of expertise, and you can watch them create the pieces from start to finish as you tour the property.
The Shanga experience is embedded within the Arusha Coffee House property, a hotel and also a coffee plantation, where howler monkeys jump from tree to tree over your head as you sip coffee that was just ground in front of you.
The on-site coffee house. (Katherine Holland, 2024)
In their words, their aim is to: “contribute positively to the sensitive Tanzanian environment while producing creative pieces that celebrate Tanzanian culture”.
Shanga just has so many good things going for it, and this inspiring group of people are bringing so much beauty into this world.