Our team...

Shafii Mwita Haji (Gasica), Managing Director of Zanzibar Learning 4 Life Foundation (ZL4LF) and founder of Heroes Community Academy
Gasica is a 30 year old social entrepreneur and the founder of the educational NGO, Zanzibar Learning 4 life Foundation. He is a teacher with amazing vision and passion for improving lives through education. At 17, he started providing free educational tuition for children with disabilities at a neighbour’s home, and continued to expand until his services were available to all children in his community. He now has 250 students taking courses in English as well as computer skills and maths. In 2016 Gasica visited the UK to participate in professional development courses, to speak at a large Rotary Conference and to talk at community and school events around the country. As a result of his tour he has made many valuable connections who are supporting him in his next project, to build a bigger school in Fuoni. 2020 saw the launch of the “Heroes Community Academy”, a 6-room school licensed by the government to provide primary education. Gasica is a natural leader and is determined to foster this attribute in his students. He also runs a number of innovative, businesses which provide work experience for young people and revenue to support his schools. 

Ann Dieckmann and Caroline Richardson, Zanzibar Schools Project, Co-ordinators
Ann and Caroline first visited Zanzibar in 2011. They were inspired by the school and realized that this might be a great project for them to tackle together. Between January 2016 and April 2018 they spent 9 months in Zanzibar running courses for local teachers and students in English, work readiness, confidence building, study skills and computer skills.
In October 2016 they hosted Gasica on his visit to the UK and helped him make the most of his visit professionally as well as introducing him to many aspects of British life.  It was his first trip outside of Tanzania and as a result he has made many exciting connections to help him further his work in Zanzibar.
When they're not in Zanzibar they are busy raising money for Zanzibar Schools Project and they provide support for Zanzibar Learning 4 Life with grant applications and business planning.

Hassan Jaffer and Feroz Jafferji, builders of the new school in Unguja Ukuu
Hassan and Feroz were school friends in Zanzibar in the 50s and 60s. After the Revolution their lives went in different directions. Hassan settled in Canada and had an illustrious career in corporate recovery and reorganisation practice, working on business assignments around the world. Meanwhile Feroz trained as a dental surgeon and practised in the UK. Feroz was always keen to share his skills with poor people around the world, often going on challenging field trips. But Zanzibar was often in his thoughts. In 2010 the friends reunited and worked with villagers in Unguja Ukuu to build a new primary school. Their work inspired Caroline and Ann to set up Zanzibar Schools Project.