Since 2017, the Assalam Community Foundation (ACF) has been a vital presence in Zanzibar, Tanzania, colloborating closely with local communities to drive sustainable development. As a next-generation non-profit organization, ACF is dedicated to creating a self-sufficient Africa through innovative programs and initiatives. The name “Assalam” means PEACE, and this core value is reflected in the foundation’s program priorities: Permaculture, Education, Art, Community, and Empowerment. ACF’s mission is to empower communities in Zanzibar by promoting sustainability, education, and cultural enrichment, all while working towards a peaceful and self-reliant future for Africa.
PERMACULTURE
Sustainable, Self-Sustaining Food Sources: Food Forests at Assalam
Our Food Forest at Assalam is a lush, sustainable garden full of native plants such as coconuts, vegetables, medicinal plants, salads, and fruit trees. Designed to mimic natural ecosystems, this forest supports biodiversity, reduces waste, and provides nourishing food. It’s a self-sustaining system that boosts food security and enriches the environment.
Animal Shelters: Ethical and Sustainable Care in Harmony with Nature
At Assalam, we design animal shelters that respect the requirements and habits of the animals while prioritizing their health and safety first. Our shelters are made to blend in with their surroundings, giving both animals and livestock a safe shelter. With regenerative techniques in place, we ensure that these shelters contribute to soil health, decrease waste, and improve biodiversity.
Compost In Our Permaculture: Turning Organic Waste İnto Soil Fertility
Organic waste turns into rich, and our permaculture is full of nutrients for the soil through our composting system of recycling food wastes into enriching soil naturality.
As part of our zero-waste strategy, composting is essential for the health of the soil, food forest support, and soil restoration.
Seed Bank At Our Permaculture Nursery: Preserving Local Plant Diversit
Assalam’s Seed Bank conserves local plant species to promote biodiversity and food security. By growing native seeds adapted to Zanzibar’s climate, we enable sustainable farming and resilience. Our nursery grows seedlings that later become part of our food forests and community gardens.
Village Forest: A Communal Green Space for All in Assalam
Assalam village forest serves as an ecological part of the reforestation initiative that helps to create a green space for fruits and medical trees as well as the production of timber. This will encourage the tree plantation and become a hub where our students can always learn the importance of the environment and eco-friendliness.
EDUCATION
Assalam International School: Shaping the Future of Africa's Leaders
Assalam International School, one of the leading projects of the Assalam Community Foundation, offers world-class education to children in Zanzibar. Our mission is not only to provide academic skills but also to nurture the next generation of scientists, artisans, and leaders. As of 2024, with an enrollment of 149 students, we continue to expand by adding new classes each year.
A proud member of the International Schools Association (ISA), Assalam International School adheres to international education standards, empowering students with a global perspective. This membership enhances our credibility in global education, enabling us to provide our students with skills and knowledge that are valuable worldwide.
Our school is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and modern teaching methods to create a rich learning environment. Thanks to our scholarship and sponsorship programs, students from all backgrounds have access to quality education, equipping them for a brighter future. In recognition of its community contributions, Assalam International School has been awarded the “Humanism Award” by ISA, underscoring our commitment to fostering social responsibility in our students. At Assalam International School, we are dedicated to investing in Zanzibar’s future and making a difference in education.
Every student at Assalam International School benefits from the support of sponsors, ensuring access to top-quality education. As of 2024, our school has grown to 149 students, with a new class being added each year to accommodate our expanding community.
Assalam Children’s University: Empowering the Next Generation of African Innovators
At Assalam Children’s University, established by the Assalam Community Foundation, students explore a broad range of subjects from technology, coding, and science to art, theater, and sports, fostering their critical thinking and natural curiosity. Through a blend of traditional education and innovative approaches, such as using 3D printing technology, we ensure that our students receive a well-rounded and practical education that will benefit them in real-world settings.
Our mission is to nurture exceptional skills in African children, preparing them for success across various fields. Each year, approximately 50 students graduate from Assalam Children’s University with the knowledge and capabilities to thrive in an increasingly technological world. This education provides our young learners with the unique opportunity to discover themselves while growing into a generation that can make meaningful contributions globally. At Assalam Children’s University, we are investing in Zanzibar’s future with optimism and purpose.
Madrasa: Nurturing Faith and Good Character in Zanzibar
In Zanzibar and along Africa’s East Coast, madrasas are foundational and culturally significant educational institutions where children attend classes after school. Here, children receive an education rooted in morals, faith, and knowledge, nurturing their growth in alignment with local traditions. This longstanding education model blends religious and societal values, preparing young people for life with both spiritual and communal insight.
Today, madrasas in Zanzibar continue to instill a strong sense of ethics in young students. By emphasizing values such as honesty, communal responsibility, and good behavior, madrasas support children in developing a solid foundation of faith and positive habits. Attending a madrasa offers each child a meaningful basis for a fulfilling life. With your support, this traditional and valuable educational experience will continue to help shape the honorable individuals of tomorrow.
In addition to education, campers immerse themselves in Zanzibar’s natural beauty, enjoying the turquoise sea, white sandy beaches, water sports, and the vibrant life of our ecological village. By 2022, over 500 children and youth have benefited from the enriching experiences offered at AfriCamp
Library
With hundreds of books in many languages, our library is a warm and inviting place where kids can learn about cultures and tales from around the globe. We foster a love of reading in kids by providing them with engaging reading experiences and innovative educational resources that equip them with the knowledge and abilities necessary for success in the real world.
STEAM LAB
The Assalam STEAM Lab empowers young minds through dynamic, hands-on learning across science, technology, engineering, art, and math. In this inspiring space, students turn creative ideas into tangible projects, develop essential technical skills, and build confidence in solving real-world problems. By engaging in workshops and creative challenges, students cultivate critical thinking and adaptability—skills that are crucial in our increasingly technological world. Through teamwork and exploration, the STEAM Lab nurtures curiosity, encouraging students to approach challenges with innovative perspectives and a readiness to make an impact in the future workforce.
ART
African İslamic Art & Culture Institute
Assalam Vocational School was founded in 2022 with the goal of equipping students with real-world knowledge in industries including tourism, agriculture, and animal husbandry. The school’s aim was recently broadened to include the celebration and preservation of African Islamic arts and history. As a new Assalam Vocational Center, the African Islamic Art & Culture Institute is a shining example of skill development and cultural preservation. The richness of the local legacy is reflected in the traditional Zanzibari arts that students engage in here, including as tailoring, basketry, kofia making, and textile design. These initiatives celebrate and preserve regional handicraft while simultaneously fostering artistic abilities and providing students with chances for sustainable livelihoods.
Program Highlights:
- Practical Experience in Traditional Arts: Our classes explore real Zanzibari customs, from elaborate beadwork and colorful textile designs to traditional recipes that have been handed down through the ages.
- Empowerment through Vocational Training: We are pleased to provide fully financed programs that give more than 200 graduates—many of them are orphaned mothers—the skills they need to thrive in Zanzibar’s economy.
- Opportunities for Internships and Community Support: After graduation, students are given internships or employment assistance, which promotes independence while upholding traditional customs. At the Institute, legacy is not only honored but also utilized as a springboard for success in the future.
The African Islamic Art & Culture Institute is a thriving center where history is celebrated and futures are built via this fusion of art, tradition, and skill development.
Mobile Library of Assalam
With the Assalam Mobile Library as our cornerstone, we are now able to provide local schools with even more educational opportunities. Students are welcome to visit our interactive facility, which offers a genuinely unique educational experience by fusing the arts, sciences, and technology.
- Interactive Science Experiences: In our science labs, kids can participate in virtual reality tours, learn how to build basic machines, and interact with scientific phenomena in an immersive, unforgettable setting.
In order to equip Zanzibar’s young with information and skills that are both locally and globally relevant, this program promotes creativity, critical thinking, and the joy of discovery.
Art and Culture Center
Our Art & Culture Center, located away in a charming Zanzibari village, is a bustling community center in addition to being a creative place. Locals and tourists congregate here to take in Zanzibar’s artistic traditions and participate in a range of cultural events, including as theater plays, art exhibits, storytelling, and musical performances.
- Workshops for Artists and Visitors: Our center provides lessons in Zanzibari crafts, traditional music, and performing arts, catering to both local artists looking for a place to work and tourists eager to learn. These programs create a vibrant environment for shared experiences while encouraging creativity and intercultural understanding.
- A Community Gathering Space: This center offers a warm setting for people of all ages, celebrating the spirit of Zanzibari culture in a vibrant, encouraging setting, in an area where such facilities are uncommon.
Our Art & Culture Center is a veritable cultural oasis that provides a special setting for Zanzibar’s artistic and cultural soul to thrive.
Outreach Programs
At Assalam, we think that sustainable development, education, and the arts can change communities. With the aim of making a lasting impression, our outreach initiatives provide possibilities for participatory learning and community involvement.
- Permaculture and Sustainability Workshops: These workshops encourage participants to embrace eco-friendly methods that they may pass on to future generations by covering subjects like composting, organic farming, and waste reduction.
- Youth Empowerment and Skill-Building: To promote creativity, accountability, and resilience, our youth-focused programs include leadership development and skill-building workshops.
By combining arts, education, and sustainability, our outreach initiatives aim to empower individuals to make a positive impact on their own lives and in their communities.
Exhibition Center
Our Exhibition Center is an immersive outdoor learning environment where both locals and tourists may learn about cultural heritage and ecological living. This center was created using eco-friendly, natural materials and is situated in a verdant setting that blends well with Zanzibar’s surroundings. Selected works of African Islamic art that showcase the region’s rich cultural heritage and reverence for the natural world are also on display here.
- A Gathering Area for Introspection and Appreciation of Art: In addition to serving as a meeting place, the center encourages guests to consider their part in protecting the environment while admiring African Islamic artwork that celebrates regional beauty and Islamic craftsmanship. These exhibits give the surroundings more depth and encourage a closer bond between nature and culture.
Everyone is welcome to experience Assalam’s objective to create a more sustainable and greener future, enhanced by the beauty and wisdom of African Islamic art, whether they are school groups or foreign visitors.
COMMUNITY
Humanitarian Aid
At Assalam, humanitarian aid is not just about providing essentials; it’s about uplifting communities and creating lasting change. With the generosity of hundreds of volunteers and donors from around the world, Assalam significantly improved the lives of thousands of people in Zanzibar in 2023 through our donors’ support.. We provided food packages to 2,250 households throughout Ramadan, arranged iftar meals for 9,000 individuals in 18 communities, and gave out more over €50,000 in zakat to 1,200 families as part of our humanitarian efforts. Over the course of the year, we built two new water wells, rebuilt five madrasas, furnished schools with 189 desks and 1,410 school bags, and gave over 1,500 orphans basic supplies and clothing. In order to promote resiliency and solidarity among communities, we also planted 500 seedlings and gave sacrificial meat to 21,000 families.
Assalam considers itself as a bridge between the island’s needs and the assistance of donors, creating initiatives that tackle certain problems and offer focused assistance. Among our humanitarian assistance initiatives are:
- Ramadan Initiatives: Providing zakat to cover essential expenses throughout the holy month, donating food packages, and holding sizable iftar feasts.
- Sponsor a Woman or Child: Initiatives to help single mothers become financially independent and stable while also empowering them and supporting their children’s education.
- Programs for Orphan Support: Setting up Orphan Camps during December, hosting an Orphan Festival every year, and continuously distributing food, clothing, and school supplies.
- Education Support: supplying desks, clothes, and necessary school materials to guarantee a supportive learning environment.
Projects include the construction and upkeep of water wells to guarantee that communities have access to dependable, clean water.
Food and Clothing Distribution: Meeting families’ and children’s immediate as well as seasonal needs by delivering food packages, sacrificial meat, and clothing. - Community-Driven Projects: Meeting particular demands, such remodeling madrasas and implementing unique programs catered to regional specifications.
Environmental Initiatives: Raising awareness of environmental issues and planting saplings to create a more sustainable future.
At Assalam, we think that everyone can contribute to building a better tomorrow for future generations. By contributing to our humanitarian endeavors, you can help us create a lasting impact. Please visit our website to donate or to find out more about how you can help.
You can be a part of this story
Volunteering with Assalam Community Foundation: Make a Difference in Zanzibar
Every year, hundreds of volunteers from all over the world join the Assalam Community Foundation (ACF) to support social, educational, environmental, and humanitarian causes. Every volunteer who joins the Assalam family leaves a legacy—a story, a memory, and a contribution. We have welcomed more than 2,000 volunteers to our eco-village in recent years.
Every week, volunteers take part in events that introduce them to African culture and the goals of Assalam. Swahili courses, volleyball, marbling art, book readings, fishing competitions, and first aid training are among the activities. Every volunteer contributes special talents to our community while learning about Zanzibar’s rich cultural legacy.
Assalam Youth Challenge: Empowering Young Innovators to Tackle Africa's Challenges
Every year, young innovators from all around Tanzania come together for a week-long program called the Assalam Youth Challenge to develop answers to urgent problems. Each year’s topic guides the projects that participants work on, and the best ideas are supported for implementation in Zanzibar. Assalam promotes cooperation and environmentally friendly design by funding all camp costs and transportation for participants. Future African leaders will be equipped by this effort to effect genuine change both inside and outside of their communities.
Community Camps
The Community Camps run by the Assalam Community Foundation are dynamic settings for developing leadership and skill sets. In order to equip young people with the necessary leadership skills and tools for both professional and personal development, we organize camps such as the Young Leaders Camp and Capacity Building Camps with the help of sponsors. Participants acquire the knowledge and self-assurance necessary to become change agents in their communities through engaging workshops, team-building exercises, and mentoring. By creating a nurturing atmosphere for education, teamwork, and independence, these camps help to build a more resilient and powerful Zanzibar.
Eco-Village
The Assalam Eco-Village is a permaculture-based eco-friendly community situated on a 15,000-square-meter site in the center of Zanzibar. Ecovilla, which can accommodate up to 120 people, makes money from volunteer and visitor stays to fund Assalam’s projects. In order to reduce its need on outside resources, the campus uses solar energy and rainwater collecting to cultivate its own fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy. Ecovilla provides a peaceful, sustainable living space that is good for individuals and the environment.
EMPOWERMENT
Karibu Assalam Tours & Retreats: An Unforgettable Camping Experience in Zanzibar
Karibu Assalam Tours & Retreats is Assalam’s year-round camping program that brings together young people in Zanzibar for an immersive and impactful experience. Established in June 2022, the Assalam Youth Center hosts up to 94 campers each session, providing hundreds of people with life skills in permaculture, survival techniques, and vocational training. All activities take place against the beautiful backdrop of Zanzibar’s turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, and vibrant community life within our eco-village.
Over 500 young people and adults have already created unforgettable memories at Karibu Assalam Tours & Retreats
KangaAfrica : Empowering Women Through Social Enterprise
KangaAfrica is a pioneering social enterprise in Zanzibar that provides sewing and design training, especially to support orphaned mothers. Women create high-quality clothing, bags, and accessories through KangaAfrica, which are sold within Assalam’s Social Enterprises, allowing them to stand on their own feet. Every purchase supports these women on their journey to financial independence and strengthens the local economy.
Products can be bought online, in a few hotels in Zanzibar, and at CafeAfrica, our central location for ethical shopping
Hamamni 1888: Reviving Zanzibar's Heritage Through Handmade Natural Soaps
Hamamni 1888 revives Zanzibar’s soap-making customs and was founded by Assalam in 2023. Our natural soaps, which are made from regional spices and sea minerals, are inspired by the ancient Hamamni baths and symbolize the splendor of Zanzibar’s past. Women participating in Hamamni 1888 receive hands-on training in natural soap-making, allowing them to develop their skills while contributing to the sustainability of Assalam’s projects through the unique products they create.
Explore Authentic Zanzibar: Each purchase of soap helps to empower community, protect traditional heritage, and finance community projects in Assalam
CafeAfrica & Shops: Ethical Shopping in Zanzibar That Drives Positive Impact
Cafe Africa & Shops, managed by the Assalam Community Foundation, serves as a vibrant hub for ethical shopping and social impact in Zanzibar. Showcasing products from Assalam’s social enterprises, this space supports local artisans and entrepreneurs while funding critical community programs, including vocational training and educational projects. Cafe Africa also hosts art and cultural workshops that foster creativity and cultural exchange.
Daily Karibu Assalam Tour: Experience Zanzibar
Experience an unforgettable Zanzibar tour with Karibu Assalam, where every step supports sustainable development. Led by the Assalam Community Foundation, this immersive tour takes you through the heart of Zanzibar’s culture and natural beauty. Visitors explore our permaculture farm, meet local artisans, and discover eco-friendly living in our eco-village.
More than a trip, Karibu Assalam is a journey with a purpose. Your visit supports local businesses, education, and sustainable development, leaving you with unforgettable memories and a meaningful impact on Zanzibar.
