Beauty queens of the insect world, Zanzibar’s Butterfly Centre has realized the true potential of these glorious creatures. The butterflies at the centre are not just there to be admired, they form an essential part of the organization’s poverty-alleviating mission. The centre works with members of the local community and provides them with butterfly farming training. These new farmers will then be paid when they bring butterfly pupae into the centre as these create part of the exhibit that is displayed for the benefit of visitors. The funds to pay these farmers come from the profits generated by entrance fees to the gardens so by visiting the Butterfly Centre, you are directly contributing to the local community. It is possible to have a guided tour through the gardens or through the local village to see the butterfly farmers at work and learn about their farming techniques.
