A child gives away her toys and shoes - and a Wales-Africa charity is born. Now she waits to see when they can re-start after Covid.
Layla Yahya, born and raised on Zanzibar off the coast of Tanzania, tells the story of how her daughter’s kindness kick-started links between a school in Swansea and the island in the Indian Ocean.
People ask, ‘When will you start again?’ I tell them: ‘Soon next year if Allah wishes. We just pray as they need our help.’
Bigger Heart Zanzibar – that’s our group in Swansea - is still receiving donations and we want to ship as soon as we are able
I came to the UK in 1996, living in London before joining my sister in Swansea after my daughter Nawal, was born in 2001. We used to come to Wales visiting my sister who was married there.
We would visit the marina and Mumbles - and somehow it reminded me of Zanzibar. It was also a bit cheaper and good to be close to family. It was different to London, a slower pace and the people here were so friendly. I felt that at the time we arrived, seeing black and minority people was a new thing. Often people would ask if they could touch my daughter’s hair. I didn’t mind as it was in a friendly manner.
At first I had my own successful hair and beauty salon in the Swansea High Street called Lulu Beauty Shop and that lasted for 10 years, a family business with my two sisters. But we kept in touch with family and friends on Zanzibar and it was on a holiday with Nawal and friends that things changed.
Time had moved on from 1996 but when we travelled to the Island nothing seemed to have progressed. It was sad but even though my daughter was only seven at this time she, amazingly, picked up on things.
We went to a popular tourist destination in the south at Kisimkazi Dolphin Island.
We saw children selling beads, pots and carvings, and she couldn’t understand why these kids were not in school. It was school time but they were here and the constant ‘why?’ question began.
Why are they not in school?
Why do they not have good clothes?
Why don’t they wear shoes? Why? Why? Why?
There were so many questions from a seven year old.
We went to talk to them and as my daughter couldn’t speak good Swahili I translated for her. The usual answers were given of no money, no school uniform, parents don’t work so they sell to tourists to help financially at home.
My daughter was so persistent and asked if we could see the school and they were happy to show us. The shock of no shoes was nothing compared to her astonishment at the school building. No doors, No windows and to her total amazement no roof. We met the headmaster and spoke with the children in school. With more ‘why’ questions it was the start of the future.
When we got back to the car we were surrounded by the children. She had a bag of toys and asked me if she could give them away. I agreed and the kids were so wanting they started fighting over the gifts. Then she asked if she could give her shoes away, I again agreed and the scuffles started again to the point where one child had the left and another the right. I often wondered if they came to some agreement”.
All the way back to the city she kept saying: “We have to help.” So everything we have achieved since that day in 2009 has been initiated by a seven-year-old girl with a big heart and a constant asking of the question “why?”
When back in school in Swansea she spread the news of what she had seen to her class friends and teachers. Then I had an invite from the school, St Thomas Primary, asking if I would talk to the assembly. That Friday afternoon I spoke and showed more pictures and video. The story had affected the school so much they asked if they could help. Collections of toys, stationery, clothes, footballs, took place and an exchange of letters proceeded regularly. The bond was formed between the schools and their pupils.
The local community heard of the work that was being created and Books and Hooks made 50 babies blankets for Zanzibar and the St Thomas community continues to help even now.
At first our organization was called Big Heart. But it was felt that this was not for one child but many. So Bigger Heart Zanzibar was formed in 2009
Life has moved on and my daughter Nawal is now in Sheffield University studying languages and linguistics. But even though busy she is still involved organizing and writing letters for support and there had been plenty going on before Covid struck. We have set up a library, with funding from events at St Thomas School andchurch hall such as teaching henna, cooking traditional Zanzibar foods and music. We have also created a computer room with five computers donated by St Thomas Church and the work continues.
Since the beginning when we started with 12 year old kids, they have become adults. Three have joined the army, and two women are now advising the younger generation on good behavior.
Most of the boys have gone into the traditional trade of fishing but a few, with our help, are learning advanced English so they can improve their communication skills to enter the tourism industry.
But Bigger Heart Zanzibar has moved into areas very close to my heart. Every time I visit the children I regularly see the signs of child abuse. Too many suffer from sexual, physical and mental abuse so teacher-training in the issues and conversations with the children happen every day. We use the arts with acting and video creating situations on how to spot the bad people and how to react when situations occur.
I witnessed this first hand when after a session an old man called an eight-year-old to him offering candy trying to entice her to the bushes. I exploded with rage and ran out to confront him. I told him never to come back to the school again. The problem in Zanzibar is the kids are very free and relaxed so its easy for these things to happen. I thank God I was there that day.
We raised the issue in school and 2 years ago the Government started to take the subject seriously. We can only hope they continue in that way.
After Covid we will continue with our health and education projects. Without education and without support it is a hard life. There is a lack of confidence forcing girls to marry too young often leading to child labour and abuse. We have to teach children their rights.
I have had heart issues in the past and that is why I want to improve early prognosis for heart disease. We are still receiving donations and want to supply two ECG machines to the Island, as well as echo machines. People are dying because by the time they know the problem it is too late. We need a specialist heart clinic.
Zanzibar is a small Island with many smart people and when they are educated want to travel or make the short journey to Dar es Salaam. People come here from other parts to work. Why are the jobs not going to local people? The Government must give opportunity to the talent we have, especially the youth. They keep pulling them down giving the kids nothing, they then think they are nothing, and they end up as nothing.
They are now asking the question “why?” Why are the jobs given to people from abroad? The problem then is people become lazy and start bad business.
At Bigger Heart Zanzibar we want to change the mentality of youth and ask them not to give in. If they progress in school and want to attend university we can spread the word and try to raise funds for them. We are looking at vocational training in the future but even this needs support.
Two brothers are now building houses having learned the skills from their father after leaving school in Form Four. They now have a building business so it is possible with support and talent and we have the talent on Zanzibar.
We have no help from the Government, everything we do we do by our self and from the kindness of people in Wales and beyond. From the mind and heart of a seven year old the work and shipments will start again very soon. Inshallah
Pictures and words by Glenn Edwards