First Few Days In Zanzibar!

During the first two business days here in Zanzibar we have gotten a lot accomplished. After anticipating the work to be done in Zanzibar for many months, we have finally arrived!Though in our first few days here we have been lost for nearly hours in the windy streets of Stonetown, have faced significant language barriers, and have had to adapt to a much warmer climate, at the end of the day we feel accomplished.

On Monday, we went to the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA) Computer Center, where we inquired about computer classes. We received information about courses offered, the duration, and the cost. After reviewing the information, we definitely think that funding computer classes for our scholars is both important and feasible.

Next we visited Ben Bella Secondary School where we were able to meet with the headmistress, as well as meet our current Form 3 and 4 scholars. The headmistress gave us updated cost estimates. When we inquired about the possibility of our scholars starting their own extra-curricular club she gladly welcomed the idea. During our meeting with the Form 3 and 4 Scholars, we introduced ourselves, handed out media release forms, connection letter requirements, and had individual time with the girls to get to know them more personally. The scholars were overwhelmingly appreciative of their scholarships, and seemed really excited that we had arrived in Zanzibar. We gave the scholars our local cell phone number, and encouraged them to call us so that we can spend time with them outside of school.

On Tuesday, we visited Ben Bella again. This time we met with our current Form 5 and 6 scholars, as well as handed out applications to a group of Form II students, who teachers deemed deserving of our scholarship. The meeting with the Form 5 and 6 scholars went much like the meeting with our scholars the day before, and it was wonderful to meet such intelligent, optimistic, and appreciative young women. In our meeting with the Form 2 students, we passed out 18 applications, and set up interviews for next Monday and Tuesday. All of the girls seemed very excited about the opportunity to potentially receive a scholarship from S4Si.

After Ben Bella, we headed to FAWE, our local partner, where we met with our main contact, Bibi Asma. This meeting went fantastically well! Like everyone else that we have asked previously, she also thought that funding computer classes for our scholars would be beneficial. She agreed that computer literacy is a basic skill necessary for success in higher education. When we informed Bibi Asma, that we currently unable to fund university education, she was extremely disappointed. She expressed that even though we are unable to fund a 4 year institution, perhaps we might consider funding some of our scholars in 2-3 year nursing programs, computer certificates, or other types of vocational programs. Bibi Asma was adamant that higher education is a crucial part of improving the lives of our scholars and their communities.

Also while meeting with Bibi Asma, we proposed our idea of hiring an in country contact for S4Si. She was extremely receptive to this idea! In fact, she informed us that one of their partners, AJSP, already has similar positions in place. AJSP allows FAWE to hires teachers to serve as mentors for their scholars. These mentors make home visits, check up on school attendance, report any health problems back to FAWE, etc. This type of mentor program is exactly what we had outlined in our plans for an in country contact. Bibi Asma told us that S4Si could definitely hire a couple of mentors, and that this was a feasible idea for us to have in place by the end of our time in Zanzibar. We set up a meeting to discuss the proposal more in depth with Bibi Asma on Friday. Leaving FAWE we were thrilled and are extremely excited for what lies ahead!