Hapo Zamani za Kale (Once Upon a Time) Co-founded by Elizabeth Mwambulukutu and Annastazia Gura. Implementing partners Arts and Culture for Development (AC4D) and  Aqua-Farms Organisation (AFO)

Aqua-Farms Organisation (AFO) is a non-governmental organisation in Tanzania, founded in July 2017 by 13 young and vibrant scientists with the aim of replenishing the livelihood of the coastal and lacustrine communities. This is done through the sustainable use of aquatic resources in line with culture, heritage, fisheries, and aquaculture. Aqua-Farms works with women and youth as the key stakeholders of change in the community.

AFO promotes utilising aquatic resources through carrying out training for youth in secondary schools on aquatic resources and their biological and economic potential. AFO- envisions replenishing aquatic resources with community-based conservation and sustainable aquaculture.

The project Hapo Zamani za Kale is incorporating traditional storytelling into multimedia through children’s’ storybooks, visual art, podcasts and animation. The project focuses on Tanzanian culture and contributes towards it by developing learning materials, improving the literacy rate and promoting the culture of reading (SDG 4). The project further reduces unemployment by working with local artists who are economically empowered and exposed to new avenues of income generation. The artists are elevating their work experience and are equipped with new skills and knowledge in the technology era.

This project is engaging different groups, for instance, indigenous people such as the Maasai, Hadzabe and Datoga, the elderly and children in efforts to preserve Tanzanian culture through children’s storybooks.

As a result, they are building alliances and networks with a variety of stakeholders to amplify the voices of marginalised and discriminated groups.