Environmental Advocacy Program
Uzi is a small island south of Zanzibar’s main island, Unguja. The road to Uzi is called Nyeker Road, which is manmade using rocks and stones with at least four types of mangroves on either side. The road to Uzi resembles the partition of the River Nile in the story of Moses; it is simply mesmerising. The road has been constructed slowly over the past 50 years. It started as a small lane for walking; it was then widened for the use of bicycles, followed by cows, and finally, it was made even wider for motor vehicles.
The drive to Uzi Island is very beautiful, but very bumpy, if you suffer from motion sickness, be sure to sit at the front of the vehicle or make yourself as comfortable as possible.
Our informative and helpful guide, Isshaka, met us at a resting point made with the help of volunteers for when the tide comes in. The water can rise to two metres with a full moon. When the tide is high, you can go fishing. The land in Zanzibar is so fertile we could plant four mangrove seeds each, Twenty (Edward) steps from the resting point on the right, which fulfilled a personal ambition to plant trees that will grow.
The town of Uzi has been there for around 10 years, along with three wells on the Island that provide drinking water. A Dala Dala, number 334, from Uzi to Stone Town takes around one hour.
The primary sources of income for the Island are fishing, farming, and carpenter work. There are also women’s groups on the island, and the women craft their fruit baskets, which Art in Tanzania exports to Finland and sells on eBay for around $ 25.
Within the mangroves, women from the villages have placed plastic bottles across the water to collect two types of seaweed. They use plastic boats to collect these when the tide is high. A hundred of these plastic boats were donated by a friend of Isshaka. The seaweed is then processed into soap and sold to provide income for the villagers.
Isshaka went to school in Uzi then to Ston etown to study further. Isshaka is passionate about making a difference and helping people live better in Uzi. Isshaka hosts two radio broadcasts throughout the week: one that raises awareness of environmental issues on Uzi Island and what others can do to help, and another broadcast called Sunset Zanzibar, where he discusses tourism and its importance to the island, as well as how tourism can contribute to its development.
Uzi grows many fruits, such as Mangoes, Oranges, Guava, Yams and Cassava. Alrge Baobab trees also grow in Uzi; the villages used to cut these down, however, Isshaka has been campaigning to keep these trees to house bee boxes that provide honey to the locals; honey season is September to October. The Baobab fruit, when mixed with water and sugar, is a good source of Vitamin C.
The island needs creative interns and volunteers passionate about the environment and sustainable development. Additionally, people can help women create innovative arts and crafts to sell, providing income for many households on Uzi Island.
For volunteering at Uzi, you can contact Art in Tanzania info (at) artintanzania.org
