The Neema Crafts Centre was founded in 2003 by the Diocese of Ruaha, to provide training and employment opportunities for people with disabilities in the Iringa region of Tanzania. It also aims to change negative attitudes towards people with disabilities in the local society. There’s a great stigma attached to having a disability in Tanzania, and the centre provides dignity and hope for many people who previously relied on street begging or were hidden away at home. The centre eight workshop areas (including tailoring, carpentry and paper-making) a therapy unit for disabled children, an award winning cafe and conference centre entirely staffed by deaf people and a welcoming guest house which is a joint venture with the local Mother’s Union (or Umaki).