Zanzibar Learning 4 Life Foundation

Success Stories

We enjoy seeing our students reach their goals and fulfill their ambitions, and we wish to share with you some of their interesting stories and accomplishments:

Now enjoys teaching and sharing knowledge, rather than being a policeman

Abdullah Mohammed Omar (Abdulling)

I really wanted to be a policeman, but without qualifications, this was impossible. A friend suggested hotel work, but my lack of English was a barrier. I had no money for English lessons! My friend told me about ZL4LF. I met Gasica and he agreed that I could learn free of charge! It was hard to be in a class with young children, but eventually I improved. The Daraja Foundation sponsored me to attend a Permaculture Course. I learnt to grow organic food. I love growing things and sharing my knowledge. I now work as a mentor for the Daraja Foundation encouraging young people to be their best selves.

Arshi Mohammed Ali

My cousin encouraged me to come to ZL4LF as I needed to improve my English to succeed at school. The most amazing thing that happened to me was the opportunity to study for a year in Tampa, Florida. I was sponsored by Rotary Clubs in Zanzibar and St Petersburg, Florida. Now I am much more outgoing and I learned how to sing and improved my English. I've studied Air Travel ticketing and helped with running the Bicycles 4 Life Business. I am currently involved with the Girls 4 Life initiative.

19 years old and her goal is to be a doctor specialized in surgery

Rayyan Said Khelef

It's amazing to think that when I joined ZL4LF only five years ago I didn’t know any English. Through ZL4LF I had the opportunity to visit America with a Rotary Scholarship from Rotary Clubs in Zanzibar and Boston USA. On my return I trained in Air Travel ticketing for 6 months. I am now working at Wajamama (a family health clinic) as the Assistant Manager and I volunteer with Heroes Community Academy

SADIQ

When I joined ZL4LF my ambition was to improve my English and to do well at school. After only a year, I was delighted to be asked to teach at ZL4LF. Giving back to the community is important to me. I graduated from Sumaite University in Zanzibar in English and Kiswahili, which is a great background for my current work as an English teacher. I work as a full time teacher at a private primary school

English teacher and graduate in English and Kiswahili

Mohamed M. Kombo

With English everything is possible! Working as a teacher at ZL4LF gave me opportunities to make wonderful changes in my life, turning me from nothing into something. I studied Procurement and Logistics Management at Zanzibar University. I now work for the government I'm proud of what I've achieved and know that everything is possible with ZL4LF. I want everyone to come and be part of us!

Kassim Ally Mohammed

I now have enough English language skills to work with tourists thanks to ZL4LF. I had failed my exams and I was traveling miles every day to sell water to support my family. Then I met Gasica who advised me to train in hotel management. With my first paycheck I got my family's toilet repaired. I bought them furniture and I want to connect their house to electricity. My brother was killed in a bus crash and my sister also passed away. Their daughters rely on me to keep them in school. I now work as a tour guide and taxi driver

Tour guide. Supports family including two orphaned nieces

Othman Sulieman Ngusa

I joined ZL4LF to learn English hoping it would open the door to many opportunities. My family is poor and couldn’t afford fees for me to study English privately. ZL4LF gave me a free education and a home as my family live a long way away. I worked hard and joined the Bicycles 4 Life workshop. I learnt everything I could but my real ambition was to be a hotel receptionist. Global Bridges helped me find a course and Iam now working in a hotel and look forward to welcoming tourists to Zanzibar!

Khamis Suleiman Khamis

I was just 13 when I started at ZL4LF! The most important things it gave me, were a home and the ability to speak English. As a result, I'm getting an education and I have goals in my life. With the help of ZL4LF and the Rotary clubs of Zanzibar and Boston, USA, I studied in America for a year and I studied Science A Levels and I am now at college on the mainland. In the future I want to read medicine and give back to my community

Student at Baobab Secondary School on Mainland Tanzania

Abdul Karim

I’m now a tour guide and taxi driver but my career really started with bicycles! When I was only 17, I learnt enough to become the business manager of Bicycles 4 Life. My training in bicycle maintenance, business management, computers and English at ZL4LF prepared me for my current career which requires a lot of communication skills. A big thank you to ZL4LF for helping me make the most of my life.

Asia Juma Hamad

When I came to ZL4LF in 2012, I couldn’t speak English. I’d finished school but not passed any exams. I was inspired to join ZL4LF by my friend as I wasn’t doing anything else. I learned English and computer skills. I decided to study Human Resources as I want to work in Public Service. I love my studies and I’m so grateful that Goza and ZL4LF gave me a scholarship. When I’m working, I want to give back to the community here.

Wants to become a public servant after her studies

Daud Madai Mussa

It seems as if I’ve always known about ZL4LF as I live round the corner! It’s actually 6 years that I’ve been studying English here – I’ve also worked at Bicycles 4 Life and Chickens 4 Life. But I always wanted to be a driver – I love cars and I watch TV programs about cars in my spare time. Last year I passed the exams to drive a public vehicle. Driving a bus can be a long day – I start at 6am and finish at 6 pm but I love my job and I don’t think I’d have it without the encouragement from my ZL4LF family.

Abdulu-Hamid Hassan Shafi

I moved to town from Uroa and decided to join ZL4LF after I failed my Form IV exam. I didn’t know any English but with Gasica's help, I was able to learn English. At ZL4LF, I joined Zanzibar Chickens 4 Life and Go for Zanzibar (GOZA) sponsored me to join at Kizimbani Agricultural Training Institute (KATI). ZL4LF made my dream into a reality and I am now looking forward to becoming an Agricultural Officer

Agriculture Student, Kizimbani Agricultural Training Institute

Eliyas Zakaria Daud

When I heard Gasica speaking on the radio about ZL4LF I thought it sounded a great place. So I went to ZL4LF the next day! I only recently joined ZL4LF but I really enjoy English classes. I’m working hard to improve. With the support of Global Bridges, I learnt to drive and now work as a taxi driver.