One of the ways Tukae aims to improve facilites in the Amani area is through creating jobs and developing revenue-earning projects. As well as creating revenue, it is important that we develop skills that enable the local people to earn revenue in future off their own back. Finally, we believe it is important that we protect the area from destruction and exploitation by corporations and industry through sustainable development.

We will:

• Identify suitable rojects
• Develop skills
• Produce goods in an environmentally acceptable and sustainable way

Currently we are developing in the following ways:

Building
We are developing the use of building methods that minimise the use of synthetic, imported and environmentally damaging products and are therefore using local materials and local labour whenever and wherever possible. The use of makuti (coconut palm thatch) for roofing and mud bricks and mortar are specific examples of this approach. The following projects have either been completed or are under development:

• Learning Resource Centre
• Camping Shelter
• Greenhouse

Eco-tourism
The area around Emau Hill is very beautiful, with over 300 endemic species of birds, many butterflies, trees and small mammals of interest. We hope to establish a lot of tourism. A campsite is being established. The dining banda (room) with a makuti (palm thatch) roof has already been built. This has been designed to sit sympathetically in its environment and offer a most beautiful and peaceful location for visitors to enjoy the very special environment of the East Usambaras.

We have designed and started to build showers and toilets using rain as the main source of water. When these are completed, the campsite will be opened for business. It is our intention to build simple yet comfortable accommodation for those visitors who want a little more luxury than a tent offers.

Conservation
Although we do not have a specific environmental and conservation remit we see it as important to demonstrate good practice and recognise the educational value in being actively involved in this work.

Tukae is based at Emau Hill between the villages of Amani and Shebomeza. This is a 50-hectare site and approximately a third of the land is mature forest and the intention is that it will remain so. To help ensure the sanctity of the forest site, a school raised money so that Tukae could buy it.