This summer, groups from across the UK travelled to Zanzibar to volunteer alongside our partner schools, supporting a range of teaching and construction projects.
From painting and flooring classrooms to delivering lessons in English, Maths, Biology and Art, our volunteers spent their time working alongside teachers and students to make a lasting difference in their school communities.
Kibondeni Primary School
2026 marks our first year partnering with Kibondeni Primary School, and this summer they welcomed their first group!
The school supports around 1,000 students, placing significant pressure on its existing facilities and learning spaces. As the school continues to grow, there is an ongoing need to improve its infrastructure and create a more supportive environment for both students and staff. Developing these facilities will also enable the school to expand its capacity, helping more children in the local community access quality education.
To support Kibondeni in reaching their aim, volunteers helped to renovate three classrooms by plastering and sanding the walls before giving them a fresh coat of paint.
Alongside their construction work, the group delivered a variety of lessons, including Geography, English, Art and Maths, sometimes to classes of around 70 students. They also got students active with PE sessions featuring parachute games and sack races.
Kijito Upele School
A group picked up the baton from last year and continued the classroom renovation project by laying a concrete floor in two classroom, bringing the total to four classrooms floors now renovated, creating a safer environment for students.
Volunteers also constructed a partition wall by one of the classrooms to secure the school grounds, improving safety and security.
A group installed shelves in the Headteacher’s office, providing a safe place to store essential school supplies and then went on to paint a further two classrooms.
Al-Ikhwan Nursery & Primary School
Broken and uneven classroom floors are a challenge students and teachers face at Al-Ikhawn, creating an unsafe learning environment.
Volunteers alongside fundis (builders), helped to lay a new concrete floor in two classrooms.
Volunteers also stepped into the classrooms as teaching assistants and their lessons were full of energy, with songs, dances and interactive activities helping students to learn while having fun.
Ubago Primary School
Last summer, our volunteers helped build a new library at Ubago, creating a dedicated learning space that has since benefited more than 400 students. This year, volunteers have continued to improve the space by tiling the library floor. The new tiled surface makes the library easier to clean, helping to reduce dust and protect the books and other learning resources.
The improvements continued in the storeroom, where volunteers laid new tiles and installed shelving to create a more organised and practical space.
They also began plastering the school’s security wall.
Volunteers then turned their attention to the classrooms, skimming and painting the interiors of four classrooms and painting the exterior of another.
Alongside their practical work, volunteers also supported learning in the classroom. Older pupils took part in Biology lessons, while younger students enjoyed activities focused on numbers and colouring Welsh Lady pictures.
Volunteers also delivered a packed programme of sports activities, including rugby, football, skipping relays and parachute games.
The work completed this summer will provide students and teachers with improved learning environments, while the time spent in classrooms created opportunities for volunteers and students to learn from one another.
A huge thank you to all our volunteers who took part in our Zanzibar Summer Programme 2026. We can’t wait to see the continued impact of their work at our partner schools.
To volunteer in Zanzibar, complete our trip planner.
