Maajabu's development

How was Maajabu started? The name Maajabu, which means ‘amazing, wonderful' in Swahili, was chosen to reflect the dynamic effect of film on people and its ability to pass on incredible images. It was kick started by the initial donation of a large screen, video projector and speakers through David Breashears, a well known film director in the mountaineering world, after the making of his Imax film ‘Kilimanjaro, To the Roof of Africa.' He used the equipment to show his film in villages around the mountain making sure that all those who had helped on the film got to see it. Once finished he left the equipment behind with Damian bell, telling him to make good use of it. Maajabu has been running for the last five years showing educational films about our environment and wildlife and more recently included HIV/AIDS awareness, to villages and schools throughout Tanzania. Maajabu offers a form of education that is effective and at the same time enjoyable. Maajabu formerly operated as a project under Tazama! Trust and with the support of many organisations including Friends of Ruaha, Istituto Oikos, Sokwe Asilia, TAWIRI and TANAPA. Maajabu have shown in 6 regions in Tanzania and in the last year alone they have shown to over 50,000 people. Maajabu's Equipment - PLC LT 245 with 2200 lumens bulb and a zoom lens. - A 8ft by 9ft front and back projection screen. - A DVD deck, a VCR deck. - A Fender 400watt amplifier and speakers. - A 2 Kva generator. - Voltage regulator - UPS 600 - Tents and camping equipment for 2 people - Old large Sony projector which needs to be sent to SA to be repaired. - Large library of videos, and many still to be distributed. Future with TNRF Maajabu is very under utilized in its present form. It is small, compact and runs smoothly but it could be put to much greater use. Using film as a medium has proved to be an extremely effective way of getting the attention of people in rural communities, and often the only way to show them the ‘real' picture. Under TNRF, Maajabu will continue to operate as a film unit, going out and responding to the demand of its current supporters, as it has been doing. It will also be utilized as a film unit beginning to develop a more programmatic approach to film-based information provision - linking into the Community Forums (UCRT) and perhaps also Mjumita (Tanzania's community-based forest network) (TFCG). Maajabu could be expanded with some human resource development and adding new capacity and materials. (e.g. including beginning its own participatory filming work). Community theatre could also be included as another means of providing information. Maajabu could be developed into an exceptional resource for TNRF and many of its partners. In this regard TNRF has secured GBP 15,000 for Maajabu's expansion and continue operation in the year 2008, as a foundational year in which to secure longer-term funding.