Lamu Launches Dhow Building Apprenticeship Program for Youth

Lamu County launched the Dhow Craftsmanship Apprenticeship on March 30, 2025—training 120 youth in traditional shipbuilding using mangrove-friendly timber and solar-powered tools. Graduates build racing dhows for festivals and eco-tours. A dhow is not wood—it’s memory shaped by hand, said master builder Salim Ali. The program, funded by Aga Khan Trust, reduced youth migration by 41%. UNESCO is reviewing it for intangible heritage status. The first cohort launched * Bahari Yetu * (Our Ocean), now used in regattas.