Foreword From Dr. MILOSLAV STINGL
In the past 35 years I have visited more than 150 countries worldwide and have experienced various cultures such as Indians, Eskimos, Polynesians, Papuans etc. Based on this, I highly appreciate any effort aimed at preserving the unique cultural heritage of a particular country. That is why I consider the project „Schools For Africa“ in Chikundi/Tanzania to be very valuable and beneficial. Mr. Širš does not say what he would like to do. He has done a considerable amount of work, especially aimed at „educating“ people in the Czech Republic and the European Union of the various African cultures. He is in possession of an astonishing collection of African woodcarvings (e.g. Makonde) and has long been involved in promoting the poorest continent on mother Earth (multiethnic festival Muli Bwanji – www.impala-gallery.com, exhibitions and lectures on the region of South- and East-Africa), which represents a gateway to the understanding of interesting non-European cultures, and which at the same time represents effective means in fighting xenophoby and racism. That is why I strongly recommend this project.
Dr. Miloslav STINGL Ethnologist, Traveller and Writer

Foreword From MIROSLAV ŠIRŠ, President Of „SCHOOLS FOR AFRICA“
After winning a contest in 1989 for the position of a chemist/metallurgist in the then world´s most advanced platinum group metals refinery in Rustenburg/South Africa I could not have imagined in my wildest dreams that I had just signed a lifetime contract with Africa. South Africa was responsible for my huge professional and language progress and it was here that I found my second home. Between 1990-1994 I worked in the Precious Metals Refinery in Rustenburg. I visited all the countries in the South African region (RSA, Lesotho, Namibia, Angola, Botswana, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Zambia) and subsequently Malawi, Kenya and Tanzania. It was an invaluable experience to meet different cultures other than ordinary tourists. The local creative traditional fine arts always fascinated me. Following my return to the Czech Republic I focused my activities on promoting those cultures and helping people living in the world´s poorest continent, which unfortunately still falls outside the interest of the so called rich countries. The carvers school in Chikundi/South-Eastern Tanzania is a result of my activities which started in 1994, its aim being the preservation of the unique cultural heritage of the „mysterious“ Makonde tribe. I am honoured to state here, that Dr. Miloslav Stingl, the living legend of the world´s ethnology, has expressed his full support to our project, and frankly hope that „Schools For Africa“ will not disappoint his reliance.
Miroslav ŠIRŠ - Traveller, Translator, Interpreter

Why Tanzania?
It is difficult to describe Tanzania without using superlatives. The country has Africa´s highest peak (Mt Kilimanjaro), its lowest point (the floor of Lake Tanganyika), its largest lake (Lake Victoria) and some of the most spectacular topography, including the Great Rift Valley and beautiful stretches of beach. It is home to more than 100 different ethnic groups, as well as to some of the largest wildlife herds on the continent. Tanzania is where some of the world´s oldest hominid fossils have been found, and is the site of some of Africa´s most important ruins. Despite all this, Tanzania statistically ranks among the 10 poorest countries in the world !
During my travels within the regions of South-, Southeast- and East-Africa I have always strived to understand specifics of cultures living in a particular area. Again and again I saw how diverse and resourceful are the artists like the stone- and wood-sculptors from Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia and escpecially Tanzania.

Who Are The Makonde?
The Makonde people, known throughout Africa for their fascinating and intricately detailed woodcarvings, are one of Tanzania´s largest ethnic groups. Originally they came from Northern Mozambique where many still live. At the beginning of the 18th century, large numbers of Makonde began to migrate northwards across the Ruvuma River and up the coast, as well as onto the Makonde plateau around Newala. More followed later in the 19th century, seeking relief from famine in Mozambique and refuge from the raids of slave traders. The Makonde are matrilineal. Although customs are gradually changing, children and inheritances normally belong to the woman, and it´s common for husbands to move to the village of their wives after marriage. Settlements are widely scattered – possibly a remnant of the days when the Makonde sought to evade slave raids. Each village is governed by a hereditary chief and a council of elders. Due to their isolated location, the Makonde have remained largely insulated from colonial and post-colonial influences, and are considered to be one of Tanzania´s most traditional groups. Wood-carvings have always played an important role in the history of the Makonde. The Makonde have a myth that the first man sculptured a figure of a woman from a tree trunk. He then stood the figure upright on the ground and overnight it came to life. The Makonde are famed for their carvings and are considered to be the best traditional artists throughout the African continent. Tanzanian Carvers (Photo Gallery)

Why We Started "Schools For Africa"?
„Schools for Africa“ was started in order to raise financial and technical support for the construction and operation of a school, workshops and cultural centre for woodcarvers in the village of Chikundi/South-Eastern Tansania. Its aim is to create new jobs in the Masasi region that ranks among the poorest regions in the whole of the country. It is also hoped to motivate interest in the younger generation so they do not leave the region in search of work in other towns. It is also meant to improve the working conditions of local traditional artists who are among the best in the whole of Africa. Our partner, the TCA (Tanzania Carvers Association), has already been allocated 10 acres of land (4 hectars) for this project by the village council of Chikundi on October 28th, 2005. Our project also has an important ecological impact. Part of the project is the creation of an ebony plantation (in Swahili „mphingo“), as well as other threatened subtropical hardwood species like „mkuruti“, „mcheji“, „mtachi“ or „mkunungu“, which makes a totally unique project in Tanzania. We strongly believe that it represents a positive activity in a region where precious natural resources are plundered on a daily basis just for the sake of firewood. For this purpose, our partner has again already been allocated another 20 acres of land (8 hectars) for this project by the village council of Chikundi on November 14th, 2005. Due to these facts we are convinced that this project deserves to be protected by UNESCO. Our plan in time is to also open an art museum displaying works of art by the „mysterious“ Makonde.

Why Chikundi?  Chikundi (Photo Gallery)
Chikundi was chosen because it is easily accessible both from Masasi (36 km away), the administrative centre of this region, and Mtwara (173 km), a coastal town on the Indian ocean and major shipping port from Hamburg. It is also possible to connect water and electricity. And most importantly: it is just 4 km from the German Benedictine mission of Ndanda. Based on the information from the elders of Chikundi, the village got its name from a tree known as „mkundi“ on the banks of the river Chikundi. At this place the first settlers established a settlement in the 19th century using the same name as the river. Geographically it borders Mkalapa village in the east, Mbaju village in the west, Makonde Plateau and Chiwata village in the south and Mtunungu village in the north. There are 712 homesteads with a population of 2.846 people (1.126 men, 1.720 women) in total. There is a primary school and a dispensary. Farming and animal stock-raising are the main activities. Food crops: maize, cassawa, rice. Cash crops: cashew nuts, rice, tomatoes, oranges and mangoes. Animal stock-raising: cattle, goats, pigs, sheep, chicken and ducks.

The Benedictine-Mission of Ndanda (www.ndanda.org)
The Ndanda mission is very important for this project. The mission has been at Ndanda since 1905 and has been supporting the running and operation of local schools, hospitals and churches. The local community regards them as an integral part of their life. The mission also provides the necessary background support for this project (lorries, tools, saw mill, communications etc.). Brother Andreas Kurzendorfer (andreas@ndanda.org), an architect at the mission in Ndanda, has agreed to prersonally supervise the project in Chikundi. Those who know the German sense of perfectionism would certainly agree that he is the right man for the job. Ndanda (Photo Gallery)

What Is CHAWASAWATA (in Swahili Chama Cha Wasanji Wachongaji Tanzania)?
The Tanzania Carvers Association (TCA) was established in 1987 and currently operates under the jurisdiction of the Tanzanian Ministry of Education and Culture. Members of the Coordination Committee of the Chikundi-Project are ex- or currently active carvers with international experience. More than half ot them come from the South-Eastern region:
Focus SENYA - TCA Chairman
Rashid J. LUKWEKWE - TCA Vice Chairman
Zahoro J. MADONGO - TCA General Secretary
Mbelwa M. MNUNGWANA - TCA Foreign Affairs Coordinator
Stewart M. MAUSEN - Member of TCA Executive and Education Committee
Joseph M. NYUNGA - Member of TCA Education Committee
Thobias T. LICHANDA - Coordinator for Chikundi