CEF Zanzibar - About CEFZ

Education Transforms Lives

Mission and Vision

Our mission is to lift children out of generational poverty through access to free quality education, nutrition and medical care. We envision a Zanzibari society where marginalized youth are healthy, employable, and can contribute positively and sustainably to their communities. In this way, we believe we can break poverty cycles.

Creative Education Foundation Zanzibar (CEFZ) is a charitable NGO which was established in 2011 in Zanzibar, Tanzania in response to the lack of access to quality education for Zanzibar's orphaned and underprivileged children.

CEFZ Zanzibar Steiner School provide free access to quality education for girls, orphans and children from disadvantaged backgrounds. We aim to provide the skills needed for youth to become employable and to transform the lives of others in their turn.

As a grassroots organisation, CEFZ have low overheads and leverage volunteers (even our full-time Executive Director is volunteer). The result is minimal costs going to administration of the project, and your donation and sponsorships going to where they are needed most - keeping kids healthy and in school, receiving the exceptional education they need to transcend barriers.

CEFZ do not receive funding from the Zanzibar governement and our students cannot pay fees. We rely on generous souls like you to help us change the lives of children living in poverty.

Meet our Team

Our Board of Trustees are passionate about Zanzibar, and passionate about education.

Salim SuleimanTrustee

Local businessman Salim Suleiman was born in Zanzibar has been an active member of the school since its inception. Salim serves on the board of SOS School in Zanzibar and is a very active campaigner for access to quality education for all in Zanzibar.

Maryam ElliasSecretary

Maryam Ellias, B.Comm. Local business woman Maryam, was born in Zanzibar and has volunteered at CEFZ since 2014. Ms Elias is passionate about access to quality education for Zanzibar’s disadvantaged children.

Caitlin SakeroffTrustee

Caitlin Sakeroff, B.A (Combined Hon.), BEd. (Canada). Former Head of Secondary School at the International School of Zanzibar, and former Zanzibar resident for 8 years. Current resident of Abu Dhabi where she has worked as a teacher for the past four years. Caitlin remains an active member of CEFZ and is committed to education and Zanzibar as she enjoys her maternity leave.

Saade Issa SalumTrustee

Member of the College of Teachers at CEFZ, Saade Issa, Head Mistress, is a trained Steiner Teacher and was our first team member. Saade is passionate about children's well-being and community outreach. She has been central to helping us achieve our mission for over 10 years.

Tracey BunceFinancial Controller

Global marketing & business development executive Tracey brings years of experience to her passion in Zanzibar; developing youth to their full potential. Tracey also advises the board on communications, compliance, and transparency.

Mussa Ali MohamedChair Person

Steiner Teacher at CEFZ for 9 years, and member of our College of Teachers. Mussa is passionate about eurythmy, biodynamic farming, and Steiner Waldorf Education

judi PalmerFounder

judi Palmer, B.App.Sc., CELTA, M.Ed. (Australia), Relocating to Zanzibar in 2003, judi struggled to make sense of the lack of youth's ability to critically think, problem solve and their poor English language comprehension (although the Secondary education language of instruction is English). Further understanding these challenges were amplified in marginalised youth, she founded CEFZ with two friends in 2011

A place for underprivileged children to flourish.

We believe in inspiring students to believe in their unique abilities and to make their success in life attainable, not just inspirational. By choosing the Waldorf Primary Curriculum to develop a love of learning, and to cultivate curiosity and the unique talents of each child, we are striving to create young people who are socially and environmentaly resonsible, independent thinkers and problem solvers, who are able to meet the challenges of our changing world.

Volunteer Opportunities

We are now recruiting volunteers for our annual Holiday Club, to be held December 2 to December 14, 2024. Send your CV and motivational letter detailing your skills and what you will be interested in leading our students in. Ideas are film making, art and craft, cooking, sports, orienteering, debating, drama, and more. Holiday Clubs allow our students to participate in extra activities to benefit their confidence and development.

Volunteers are expected to cover their own flight costs, accomodation (budget around $300 to $500 per month), and meals outside of school times. To respect our children's privacy, CEFZ do not take day or short term volunteers.

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