Mbeya is in the Southern Highland Region of Tanzania, about 1000 km southwest of Dar-Es-Salaam, close to the borders of Zambia and Zaire (Congo). Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world and many of its people are poor,as are the Mbeya Bamboo Women ;they are gentle and kind despite their poverty. The Women of the group belong mostly to the Bena tribe;some others are Nyamwezi and Rugulu. The language they speak -in addition to their tribal languages- is Swahili. They understand English as well. Most of them are Christian:Catholic, Protestants,Morovian and Pentacostal.
The items produced by the Mbeya Bamboo Women Group are Bamboo Products such as baskets of various types, trays, tables, chairs, lampshades, cutlery trays, etc. The Mbeya Bamboo Women Group is recognized by the city of Mbeya as a CBO (Community Based Organization)and is connected to the regional business community through its membership in the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (TCCIA).
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