SHANGILIA shop was opened in 2002. It is situated in Mkunazini Road, Stone Town, Zanzibar near the Anglican Church and the former slave market.

In the shop we sell handicraft, made by blind people from Zanzibar. We use coconut fiber ropes for making mats, baskets of different kinds and flower baskets. We also sell necklaces, made by a blind woman.

Before there was a Center for the Blind in Stone Town but because it is no longer there all products are made in the homes of the blind.

About 20 people used to be producing mats and baskets but now we allow only a few, the people with small children to care for, to sell products to us, because the stock is too big.

We have been selling a lot to the hotels here in Zanzibar but the products are too solid if they are well maintained and they last for many years. Now we really have to increase the market.

In Shangilia shop we also sell Bibles, books with Christian teaching, dictionaries and music, produced by soloists and choirs from different churches in Tanzania and neighbouring countries.
We also sell postcards and stamps. If we get any second-hand products we sell them also.

Our goal is to help the blind to get skills in order to help themselves to have a normal life. Some of them need support in their daily life. have a special fond outside the shop in order to help with e.g. hospital costs, some food and repair of their homes.