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Welcome on our homepage!
BLACC is a voluntary non-governmental, non-partisan and non-profit Training Centre for Women and Youth, based in Bagamoyo, Tanzania. Since the establishment of our institution, our mission has been to economically empower our students by increasing their commercial viability, their chances for employment and their ability to play part in community development as equal partners.The Centre’s approach is to enhance business and production skills through training in handicraft designs and artistic creativity.
BLACC is located in Bagamoyo, near the main road to Dar es Salaam. Next to its handicraft training facilities, there is a computer lab and a beautiful showroom annex shop. A new hostel for students in Bagamoyo town is currently under preparation, allowing more room for training activities on the premises.
The shop allows students as well as former trainees to show and sell their work to the public, who always seem surprised by the high quality of the products. Click here for examples of our products.
Training at BLACC
The duration of our training program is divided into four categories: Six months full training in all skills with practical field work in a specialised skill; four months training in all skills without field work; short part time training courses of one month or two months in one single skill.
Student intakes overlap in such a way to allow trainees interaction and familiarisation before leaving the centre. For example, we have the following intakes: 1st. January and 1st. June in each year.
The exercise is based on both indigenous and contemporary locally available materials.
Our training offers the following skills:- Pottery
- Textile surface designs and finishing (batik, tie and dye, printing)
- Embroidery
- Basketry and weaving
- Tailoring and cloth/ outfit design
- Drawing and basic carving
- New product development
- Entrepreneurial and market skills transfer
- Basic computer training
Achievements
Since March 1998, when the training programme started, to July 2001 the centre had already trained 350 women and youth and a majority of them have established their own production groups employing family members and relatives.
Bagamoyo alone has more than 10 groups with at least ten members each, as well as many individuals, carrying out production.
Trainees are participating in exhibition and trade fairs from time to time. Others have established training groups for those unable to join the centre.
Promotion of Tanzanian culture in the context of fashion trend and work of art is steady emerging in Bagamoyo Community.
The marketing of the training program throughout the country through mass media e.g. T.V programs, newspapers, pamphlets, visitors, well wishes and ex- trainees.
The incorporation of local artisans in the training staff.
Role model in the environmental care and training.
Organisational structure
Day-to-day activities in the field of training and administration are carried out by a professional staff of approximately 10 people. Four times a year, a Steering Committee (Board) comes together to evaluate training progress and strategy, facilitated by weekly management meetings of BLACC. The Steering Committee has the following six members.
- Margret M. Manongi (Chairperson), AWATA
- Hambasia Maeda, AWATA, GOIG Handicraft Vocational Centre
- Mr Thebas Duncan, Bagamoyo District Planning Officer
- Mr.William Kadaraja, Lipuli Associates Certified Public Accounts
- Mr. Jonathan Karoma, Technical Advisor The Hurbert Kairuki Memorial University of Medicine
- Marie Cidosa (Secretary to the Board), BLACC/Executive Director
Membership
Bagamoyo Living Art Handicraft Design Centre was established in 1996 by women artists under the umbrella of the Association of Women Artists in Tanzania (AWATA) and got its full registration January 1997. At present, BLACC is a member of:
- Association of Women Artists in Tanzania (AWATA)
- Vocational Education Training Authority (VETA)
- NGOs net work of Bagamoyo (IGODEN) and Patron to one of the Orphanage Care Centre in Bagamoyo (Magomeni or Orphan Centre). Currently the centre is sponsoring six orphan girls in training who will go back to train others also Co-ordinates Art and Crafts Activities in Bagamoyo.
Sources of income
The centre earns its income through the contribution of its members and students; donations from donors, NGOs, individuals and well-wishers and funds generated by the centre itself. For the ongoing improvement of our training, BLACC very much welcomes new contributions!
Contact BLACC
If you are interested in following our training program, supporting our activities or in volunteering as a BLACC trainer, please contact us at this address:
BLACC
PO BOX 163, Bagamoyo
Tanzania
Tel: 255 744 834430 / 255 744 463585
Email: blacc40@hotmail.com
Why Bagamoyo?
 'When we talk of Bagamoyo living Art and Handicraft Design Centre we cannot isolate it from the location the centre is running its activities. The centre is located in the heart of Bagamoyo, an historical town situated along the eastern cost of the Indian Ocean, about 65 Km north of Dares salaam, the Tanzania’s capital city. It’s natives being the Wazaramo, Wadoe, Wazigua and Wakwele tribes.
'The story of Bagamoyo town is characterised by a mixture of ups and downs, sufferings and hopes without denying the fact that it was once a slaves trade gate where slaves were carried to Zanzibar (trade market), Arabic countries, Europe, India etc. These people were forced to leave their beloved motherlands and cultures term as leaving their heart behind, as the name ‘Bwagamoyo’ means.
'In the 19th century Bagamoyo became a famous town commercially in many trades such as ivory/rhinoceros horns, salt and fish drying. It became the capital city until the arrival of Germans who decided to transfer the capital city to Dar es salaam.
'The Shift of headquarters to Dar es salaam stagnated the rapid urbanisation of the town as well as the development of the infrastructure leaving Bagamoyo neither a town nor a village.
'Economically too, this had a negative impact on social set-ups where the Arabic post slavery feud system dominated. The impact was characterised by highly illiterate, perpetual poverty among the natives as well as unemployment. This left Bagamoyo one of the poorest districts despite of the vast economic potentials it has. The most disadvantaged and marginalized in this set up are women and children.'
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