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Our Story

In the heart of Zanzibar, Kawa Foundation stands tall as the sturdy root and trunk, deeply committed to nurturing a sustainable future for the island’s heritage and the thriving tourism and hospitality industry. Our mission is resolute—to safeguard, enrich, and harness the natural, cultural, and historical treasures of Zanzibar. Through proactive measures, we aspire to not only preserve these invaluable assets but also to create sustainable income-generating activities that resonate with the essence of the island.

At the core of our endeavour lies a profound commitment to uplifting the economic status of Zanzibar’s youth, alleviating poverty, and mitigating unemployment. Our focus extends beyond mere economic empowerment; we are dedicated to nurturing the potential within the vibrant communities that call Zanzibar home. Through comprehensive capacity-building initiatives encompassing skills, knowledge, and leadership, we aim to bridge the existing skills gap within the tourism and hospitality industry.

Our holistic approach involves empowering women and enhancing livelihoods in rural communities, recognising them as integral contributors to the social and economic fabric of Zanzibar. By fostering partnerships and entrepreneurship, we endeavour to create vital economic links between communities and the industry, thereby fortifying economic resilience at the grassroots level. At the heart of our advocacy is the promotion of fair working conditions, ensuring that sustainable practices are embraced and implemented across the spectrum of our activities.

Our Values

Build Capacity of Zanzibar youth

We believe in nurturing the seeds of potential already present within Zanzibar youth. Through skill-building and empowerment, we foster independence and autonomy, helping them pave their own paths to success and self-reliance.

Involve and benefit local communities

Community engagement is at the core of our mission. Our projects are born from the needs and aspirations of local residents, ensuring that every endeavour directly contributes to the well-being and prosperity of the communities we serve.

Empower Women

Women are the heartbeat of our society and empowering them is essential for progress. Through education, leadership development, and economic opportunities, we empower women to break barriers and seize their rightful place as leaders and change-makers.

Protect and preserve cultural, natural and historical heritage

Ensure the safeguarding and preservation of Zanzibar’s diverse cultural, natural, and historical heritage, as it represents a valuable treasure that shapes our identity and collective memory.

Promote healthy lifestyles

Health is wealth, and at Kawa Foundation, we are committed to promoting holistic well-being. From access to nutritious food to initiatives that encourage physical activity and mental wellness, our projects aim to cultivate a culture of health and vitality within our communities.

Preserve and protect the environment

Our dedication to sustainability encompasses not only human societies but also the preservation of our natural environment. By implementing initiatives aimed at waste reduction, recycling, and environmental preservation, we aim to act as caretakers of the Earth, securing its well-being for generations to come.

Our Management Team

At Kawa, we embody our principles through action. We prioritise capacity building, and the majority of our staff consists of former students who have developed alongside our organisation. 

Suzanne Degeling

Suzanne Degeling

Founder/ Director Kawa, teacher, project developer, fundraiser, project leader

Nassor Abuu Abdulrahman

Nassor Abuu Abdulrahman

IT teacher and Manager IT, legal affairs

Bakar Nyange Khamis

Bakar Nyange Khamis

Faculty manager, Teacher and Heritage Club leader.

Mohamed Omar Juma

Mohamed Omar Juma

Environment project manager

Khadija Khamis Nyange

Khadija Khamis Nyange

Promoting Women in Tourism Chair, Pay it Forward study loans coordinator, Career Development teacher

Rabya Salum Suleiman

Rabya Salum Suleiman

Office manager and treasurer

Suzanne Degeling
Founder/ Director Kawa

Hello, I am Suzanne, I was part of the founding members who established Kawa in 2010. It has been an amazing journey so far. I feel passionate about the natural, historical and cultural heritage of Zanzibar and training Zanzibar youth in Hospitality and Tourism and entrepreneurial skills, gives me the opportunity to inspire students to love and protect it while being able to built a career and generate an income.

Nassor Abuu Abdulrahman
IT Manager & Legal Affairs

Hello, I am Nassor, I started at Kawa as a student in 2013, actually I never became a tour guide, but I did have a degree in computer science. In 2014 I was approached to teach the students some computer skills, we did that in an internet café. When Kawa started renting its own place and computer lab was established and since then I am working with Kawa, first as an IT teacher and technician and now also as the legal affairs person.

Bakar Nyange Khamis
Faculty Manager & Heritage Club Leader

Hello I am Nyange, I called myself the unlucky student because when I was studying, Covid broke out and suddenly there were no tourists left on the Island. But as one door closed, another door opened and I was offered to join a teacher training and now I have developed into the head of Faculty at Kawa. So I consider myself lucky now. I love working at Kawa because we make our own program that is tailor made for our students and the field where they will be working.

Mohamed Omar Juma
Environment project manager

I am Mohamed but known as Mo-lite. I was a Tour Guide student in 2019, the year that the Environment Club was established. This is where I discoverd my passion: Protecting the Environment and motivating others to do so. I was invited to join the teacher training and since then I am teaching English and Environment matters to the students, I also teach them how to develop projects. I am learning as I am doing. I am also a Sustainable Waste Management Consultant for hotels.

Khadija Khamis Nyange
Women in Tourism Chair & Study Loans Coordinator

Hello I am Khadija, I am doing a lot of things at Kawa. I consider my most important task to enable young people, especially women, to built a career in Tourism or Hospitality. There are many challenges for women in the Tourism and hospitality industry and my goal is to support our students in their career, during and after the course.

Rabya Salum Suleiman
Office Manager & Treasurer, Women Empowerment Secretary

Hello, I am Rabia, I studied English at Kawa Training Center and after my studies I was asked to become a secretary and receptionist at Kawa. Now I am the head of he administration and the treasurer. I love working at Kawa because it gives me the opportunity to develop my skills and help other young people to build a career.

Institutional partners

Explore our network of esteemed institutional partners who share our vision for community development in Zanzibar.

TUI Care Foundation

TUI Care Foundation has been actively supporting and collaborating with Kawa Training Center (now Kawa Foundation) on projects aimed at providing better opportunities for young people and contributing to the development of holiday destinations. Our corporate foundation prioritizes the positive impacts of tourism, thereby promoting sustainable progress. Through our initiatives, we connect holidaymakers with projects in destination areas, enhancing education, the well-being of children and youth, and the preservation of nature and the environment. Partnering closely with the Kawa Foundation, we ensure a strong local presence for meaningful and lasting impact. Established by TUI, one of the world’s largest tourism enterprises, the TUI Care Foundation is headquartered in the Netherlands.

Panda Juu

The Panda Juu Foundation, meaning “climb up” in Kiswahili, was established on July 6, 2012, and supports Kawa Foundation based in Zanzibar. Panda Juu support includes: Fundraising for specific projects Fundraising to cover the training costs for specific students Recruiting and mentoring volunteers to teach or assist in other ways on Zanzibar Contributing to policy development Collaborating on curriculum development Assisting in the creation of teaching materials

Sponsors

Meet the generous sponsors who fuel our mission to empower youth, engage communities, and promote sustainability.

Collaborators

Discover the dynamic collaborators who contribute their expertise and resources to our projects and initiatives.

Collaborators

Discover the dynamic collaborators who contribute their expertise and resources to our projects and initiatives.

Cultivate Culture, Nuture Nature
& Train for Tourism

Kawa Foundation is an NGO that passionately seeks to preserve the cultural, environmental, and historical heritage of Zanzibar. Primarily through education and promoting sustainable tourism.

Kawa Social Enterprise schemes raise awareness and address protection of the environment. As well as creating nature-based tourism experiences.

Kawa Training Center's aim is to provid the local youth with the necessary knowledge and skills needed in by the tourism industry.

Happy with KAWA

Just some of the feedback from students, family, volunteers and stakeholders about the endeavors of the Kawa Foundation.

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Christina Tell Designation

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Kelvin Martin Designation

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