More Africa NGO

It took us 6–7 years to help our primary students truly understand numbers. Step by step, repetition after repetition, but always at their own pace.

And now… they are doing addition and subtraction with confidence.

Progress may be slow, but it is real. And every small step is a big achievement.

Less than 20% of teachers in Zanzibar are trained in special needs education.

This means that many children with disabilities do not receive the support they need to learn, grow and feel included in the classroom.

At More Africa we work every day to bridge that gap. By training our teachers, adapting our methods, and creating a space where every child is seen.

Meet Hadia from Bwejuu.
Hadia has been coming to More Africa for a long time. She was born with physical deformities, and her hips are dislocated, which means she is not able to walk.
But what stands out most about Hadia is not her challenges, it’s her beautiful smile.

She is always happy, always present, and brings a special kind of joy to everyone around her. Her strength is quiet, but powerful.

When we first started More Africa, every child felt like their own little world.
Different needs, different behaviors, different ways of communicating. All individuals finding their place.

But over time, something beautiful happened.
Today, we are one big & beautiful family.
Our children help each other, learn from each other, and grow together. There is care, connection, and understanding. No one is left out.

What once felt like a group of individuals has become our greatest strength: a community where everyone belongs.

At More Africa everything we do is about creating opportunities for children with special needs.
Did you know that you can directly support our work just by choosing where you stay?

Our guesthouse is more than just a place to sleep. It is a place where inclusion comes to life. Providing employment opportunities for people with disabilities and helping sustain our school and programs.

We also warmly welcome families traveling with a child with a disability. We understand that travel can feel challenging, and we aim to create a space where everyone feels comfortable, supported and truly welcome.

So when you stay with us, you are not just visiting Zanzibar…
you are becoming part of the impact.

Meet Yussuf.
Yussuf’s journey hasn’t been easy. He started at Kikadini, where school didn’t go well, and he was often influenced by older boys, getting into trouble.
When he first joined us at More Africa a few years ago, he was all over the place; running away, angry, fighting, and struggling to find his place.

But step by step, things changed.
Today, Yussuf is a happy young adult who has grown so much. His social skills have improved, he connects better with others, and he is finding his way in life.
We couldn’t be more proud of the progress he has made. 💛

Drawing is more than just putting color on paper.
At More Africa drawing helps our children express themselves, explore their creativity and build confidence. For many of our students, words can be difficult, but through colors, shapes and lines they can share their feelings and imagination.

Every drawing is different. Every drawing tells a story. And every small moment of creativity is a step in learning and development. 💛

Finding reliable facts about disability inclusion in Zanzibar is surprisingly difficult.

There are some studies, often from organizations like UNICEF, but most research mainly focuses on hearing, vision and physical disabilities. Much less is known about children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Even basic numbers can vary. Some surveys estimate that around 1 to 3.2% of people in Zanzibar live with a disability, but experts say the real number is likely higher because many people are never included in official statistics.

Stigma, lack of data, and limited research make it difficult to truly understand the situation of people with disabilities and their families.

We hope that one day there will be better, deeper research that includes all types of disabilities, especially the ones who we don't often see.

And when that research happens, we hope researchers will not only study numbers, but also visit, listen, communicate and learn from the people and communities themselves. Because real understanding starts with conversation. 💛

Swahumu 💛
12 years old and coming to school at More Africa for a few months now.

She has found two very special friends: Rehema and Naima. They are in the same class, the same age, and understand each other so well. The three girls spend their days learning, playing and growing together.

Their developmental age is around 2.5 years, which makes their friendship even more beautiful. They meet each other exactly where they are. And you can see how much joy they bring to one another.

Meet Upendo, our teacher and physical therapist, and Manswab, one of our brave students.

When Manswab first came to More Africa, he was often crying and in pain. Today, with guidance and care, he is learning to move, play, and experience more joy in life.

Together, they work on exercises that build strength, coordination, and confidence, turning challenging moments into achievements and smiles. Step by step, Manswab is discovering that movement can be fun and empowering.

We are so proud of his progress and grateful for Upendo’s love and dedication in every session.

Respect before experience

We receive questions every day about interacting with the children.
Our answer is always the same.
We cannot allow people to interact directly, because the well-being of the children always comes before the “good feeling” of a guest.
More Africa is a place of learning, routine, and safety. For the children, it is not something to visit once, it is their daily environment. Constant new faces and interactions would disrupt their sense of security and focus.
Our responsibility is to protect the children, not to provide emotional experiences for visitors.
Guests are welcome to learn about our work through impact tours on wednesdays and fridays, conversations, and observation, but always within clear boundaries that respect the children’s dignity and emotional safety.
True impact starts with respect.
And sometimes, respect means saying no.