Ensuring a Future

Wonder Welders, Tanzania

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Recycled paper production activities with Harriet and Semini at Wonder Welders.

Wonder Welders are based in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, and is the focus of a unique venture established in 2004. The company employs 40 employees of which 32 are disabled. Many of these have been fully trained in the use of welding equipment. This has been combined with a proactive campaign in recycling metal to produce imaginative and creative works of art, for both interior and exterior parts of the home.

More recently production of recycled paper and glass products have been introduced to expand the range of items sold by Wonder Welders. Soap is also now being produced at Wonder Welders.

Soap production at Wonder Welders Workshop.

Wonder Welders employees working at their Dar-Es-Salaam workshops.

The works of art include a wide range of wildlife and birds as well as boats and domestic artifacts such as candle holders and magazine racks. These are currently being sold in shops and fairs in Tanzania and are now exclusively available in the UK through The Africa House Ltd.

Training in both welding and the more creative aspects of metal sculpture has seen Wonder Welders grow from strength to strength. Each sculpture uses metal that has been sourced from local businesses that include engine parts, computer hardware, wiring and steel.

Recycled Glass being prepared for moulding at Wonder Welders.

Wonder Welders also produce a selection of photo frames and wooden toys. The frames are all made from recycled paper and card board collected from within Dar Es Salaam. The wooden toys are made from renewable Tanzanian wood sources.

The commitment and natural ability of each employee has produced inspiration and imagination in every product created.

Each employee is provided with a regular monthly salary, free lunch and subsidised healthcare and membership of a pension scheme.

Welding Workshop scene with Halifa, Maulid, Ben and Daniel- July 2008

The life of any hard working Tanzanian employee has significant additional challenges when combined with a disability such as polio. Despite this, employees at Wonder Welders have dedicated time to developing unique skills that will provide much enjoyment for people around the world. And of equal importance is the financial support that will help provide families with much needed income to help with schooling, health and domestic needs in their homes.