Help me, help these Zanzibari Seamstresses!

Habari from the beautiful island of Zanzibar! Thank you so much for visiting my page. Your time and support mean the world to me, and I am deeply grateful for your interest in our cause.

About Me:

Hello, my name is Julie. In March 2020, I began an unexpected journey when I was sent to Zanzibar, Tanzania, to work on a communications project with the incredible Barefoot College International (pictured with Mama Fatma, one of their solar mamas). Just one week into my stay, the world came to a grinding halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Suddenly, I found myself stranded in a country I had never been to, in a place I had only just discovered.

Fast-forward nearly two years, and by the end of 2021, I had made a life-changing decision. Inspired by the incredible women I met while living and volunteering on the island, I collaborated with a group of Zanzibari women to start DressCodeZanzibar, a social enterprise and fashion label supporting their training and economic development.

DressCodeZanzibar is more than just a business; it’s a movement that has emerged from a passion to impact a community in the developing world directly. In the picture above, you can see me with the fantastic sewing ladies and staff. (More on how DressCodeZanzibar got started is provided below.)

Today, I seek funds to support this social enterprise.

MY WHY

Zanzibar is an archipelago of Tanzania located off the coast of East Africa. It is famous for its rich cultural heritage and stunning beaches, which attract tourists worldwide.

There is a significant contrast here, however. While the island has luxurious hotels and a thriving tourist industry, the local people, although largely happy, also live in extreme poverty. Tin-roofed homes stand in the shadows of five-star resorts, a sight that starkly highlights the injustice and inequality. Life here is far from easy.

I have always been passionate about fighting global poverty and serving underserved communities throughout my life and career. Now, I find myself at ground zero, facing the harsh realities of daily life for Zanzibari women and its people.

Recognizing the unique opportunity to make a difference, I started DressCodeZanzibar focused on women’s empowerment, education, and economic development, which I believe are crucial to addressing poverty and inequality in Zanzibar.

Thanks to your generous donations on GoFundMe (referenced in the opening video posted on Patreon just after my birthday) and a successful Kickstarter campaign launched early in 2022, business licenses, work visas, permits, rental, and overhead costs for almost two years were covered, giving us the momentum needed to launch a successful social enterprise.

DressCodeZanzibar has grown significantly over those two years. I’ve built relationships with shops and hotels all over the island that now sell our products to people from all over the world. Our following is increasing in the US through our recently launched website and Etsy page.

However, moving into year 3, we continue to pay significant costs associated with running a business in Zanzibar, including renewals of various business licenses and permits, overhead expenses, and monthly and annual taxes. Covering these has been a struggle. For example, Julie did not renew her work visa at $1000 and will now enter the country on a tourist visa—paying $100 every three months I'm on the island.

Additionally, since COVID, airline tickets and general pricing on the island have skyrocketed.

At the end of the first year, these fundraisers offered enough capital to support DressCodeZanzibar, which was great! Unfortunately, these funds and our sales were insufficient to cover my living costs.

To maintain balance (financially and personally), in the winter of 2022, I returned to a previous life working at ski resorts. I returned to the US to work a seasonal winter job at Vail Resorts in Keystone to help cover my living expenses, returning to Zanzibar in the summer to keep the good work of DressCodeZanzibar moving forward. It’s tiring and nonstop, but the dedication of the women involved is inspiring.

The What - DressCodeZanzibar:

The Mission:

DressCodeZanzibar is a collaborative effort between dedicated women from Zanzibar, Tanzania, and me. We have come together to create a social enterprise that provides economic opportunities to talented seamstresses in Zanzibar who are looking for work. Your support is not just appreciated; it is integral to our mission’s success. You are a crucial part of this journey.

Our Product:

Our products are unique because they are ethically produced using East African kanga and Kitenge fabrics. Our trademark dresses that include Swahili messages or proverbs set us apart, creating ‘dresses that speak.’ These messages are carefully selected and embroidered by the women, adding a personal touch to each dress. Each sale of these unique dresses supports the training and economic development of the women who make them.

DressCodeZanzibar’s Why:

A report issued by USAID on December 1, 2021, highlights that Tanzanian women and girls remain among the most marginalized and underutilized citizens in sub-Saharan Africa.

Many of the women working for DressCodeZanzibar have children and live in extreme poverty, often earning less than a dollar a day. By ethically producing clothing, DressCodeZanzibar provides these women with jobs and the chance to achieve economic independence and support their families. Additionally, they receive further training to enhance their skills and pursue their passion. Your support directly impacts their lives, giving them hope and the opportunity for a better future.

Additionally, DressCodeZanzibar connects women with other designers to ensure a steady income and ongoing skill development.

Your support directly impacts their lives, giving them hope and the opportunity for a better future. Your contribution is not just a donation; it’s a lifeline for these women, providing them with the means to support their families and build a better life.

The How - From the beginning

Phase One (The Pilot):

With funds and time to spare, I brought European designs and East African kangas to the Upendo Women's Empowerment Vocational Training School for Women and facilitated a three-month pilot. The high-quality dresses they created sold successfully at markets and hotel boutiques across Zanzibar. After some discussions, both sides recognized the mutual benefits and agreed to continue the partnership.

Phase Two (Research):

To test the idea further, I launched a successful Kickstarter campaign in February, fully funded in just five days! The $11,000 (after taxes) allowed us to test our products with almost 100 customers throughout the U.S., open a workshop for women, and establish a merchandise shop in Zanzibar. We also hired six talented graduates from Upendo who were seeking employment.

Phase Three (Establishing the Business):

On June 1st, 2022, we officially registered with the government and opened for business! We broke even during our first "high season" and were thrilled with the results. Our products sold successfully in our shop, hotel boutiques, and merchandise shops in Stone Town. We even piloted our products on Etsy with great success.

Phase Four

After discovering that many designers are looking to support talented sewing ladies on the island, I am now exploring how I might increase the workload and training opportunities for these ladies while continuing to produce DressCodeZanzibar products.

Request For Support

This GoFundMe page is dedicated to helping cover the business, travel, and overhead expenses that will allow me to continue to provide economic opportunities to these driven, talented sewing ladies in Zanzibari.

The future in Zanzibar is bright, and I am steadfast in helping them realize their dreams. Please consider joining me in this mission! (Feel free to contact me directly if you would like to offer support in other ways.)

To make this mission a success, we are growing, evolving, and adapting to the challenges in Zanzibar, Tanzania. It’s been an honor and a growing opportunity to do business here.

I appreciate any help you can provide. Every dollar makes a difference.

Pamoja (together),

Julie and the women at DressCodeZanzibar

Etsy page: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DresscodeZanzibar

Website: www.dresscodezanzibar.com