SIT student visit to ZBC

Apologies that it has been a little while since this blog has been updated - exciting activities have been going on!

In October Mohammed (ZBC Project Manager) provided a very interesting and entertaining tour of the butterfly centre to the current group of SIT Study Abroad students - these American students have the opportunity to study first hand coastal ecology and natural resource managment in Zanzibar.

They were able to learn about the background and operation of ZBC and how the centre, as the focal point of an impoverished community, is providing an opportunity for participating farmers to sustainably generate a fair income, paid for by tourist admissions to the centre.

Other news is that the Pete Village Well Fund project is progressing. We had a second fundraising gig back in July. The kind organisers of Eyefest (www.myspace.com/eyefest) invited us to benefit from 1/3 of the profits of their excellent little magical musical festival! Proceeds from this, other generous donations and of course the London gig, mean that we have raised over £2000 and can plan a much higher specifiction well and pump than we had anticipated - very exciting! Permits are almost in place and once the final specification is agreed, the fundis shall be able to dig! We will post photos here once the construction is finished.

...a busy couple of months!

Exciting things have been happening in the world of ZBC over the last couple of months - highlights being a trip to Tanga, a new manager and a party!

Alistair left us back in March and is now playing with butterflies over in Cambodia, where another community butterfly farm is being developed (website coming soon!). Before he left, he joined farmers from Pete village on a trip to the Amani Butterfly Project. It was an excellent opportunity for ZBC farmers to meet Amani staff, see what techniques are being used at their successful and long established buttefly project and to discuss any farming problems and exchange ideas.

When he left for Cambodia Alistair handed over the ZBC project management reins to Mohamed Khalfan Mohamed who we are very pleased to welcome to the project. Mohamed recently completed his masters thesis in human geography and previously worked as a teacher in Zanzibar. We are grateful that he is bringing his experience and enthusiasm to ZBC.

A couple of weeks ago, back in London, we hosted an event to raise funds for the construction of a decent well, pump and water tower for Pete Village (the current water supply in Pete is sporadic at best). We are really happy that through a great night out with friends in London and further donations we have raised £1,500 towards our target of £1,800. Thanks to Rookie Le Fritz and the Bouleoff Queens who provided brilliant musical entertainment and kept everyone dancing, also to the Blagclub who let us use the space and provided the photos to show you how it all went!

Butterfly Garden Party

AWAMU Tours and ZBC hosted a special drinks party in the ZBC butterfly garden in February 09 - one of the more unusual and beautiful venues for a party that guests would have experienced! Talanted local musicans created a soundrack to the display of fluttering butterflies as visitors, cold drinks in hand, explored the sanctuary of the tropical garden. The rangers were available to answer any questions about particular species, butterfly ecology and the community aspect of the project. Some guests were familiar with the centre, for others it was their first visit to ZBC, but all agreed it was a successful first event and will be repeated in the future - watch this space!

Underneath the mango tree...

Pete Village is known for its mangos and we are well into mango season - staff at ZBC (and visitors if they are lucky!) can enjoy at least two varieties in the immediate area of the reception building and butterfly garden!

Women in the village take advantage of the seasonal abundance to earn some extra cash from passing vehicles, selling the smaller variety by the handful. However, this natural harvest lasts only a few months a year, which is why visitor admissions to ZBC are so important - entrance fees are used to provide butterfly farmers from the village with an additional, year-round, income.

A Village Wedding!

Congratulations to Assa (ZBC cook) who recently got married!!

The traditional Zanzibari wedding was held in Pete village (home to the ZBC) and hundreds of friends and family from all around the island gathered to celebrate. Festivities carried on all day, with traditional songs, dancing, prayers and of course feasting on the delicious Zanzibar Pilau. Best wishes to Assa from all at ZBC for the future - Habibu in particular will miss your cooking!

Welcome to our new blog!

We are excited to be launching our new website in January 2009 and whether you are in Zanzibar or overseas, we hope that you will enjoy checking up on developments at ZBC!