CHILDREN in Zanzibar are to benefit from a link with Swansea.

 

Bigger Heart is a new link between Swansea and Zanzibar. The link began when Layla Moh'd Yahya visited the country and became aware of some of the issues faced by villages in the Kizimkazi region. Following discussions with the village elders and forming a committee to plan and fundraise in Swansea, Bigger Heart was formed and an initial grant from WACL will help fund a trip to Zanzibar to discuss the link further with the community.

 

Initially the link will concentrate on education and working with teachers in the local schools as one link member from Swansea is a teacher and can plan some training.

 

The local community in Swansea have been very supportive of this project with impressive numbers turning up to an information day and fundraiser which involved zumba dancing, Zanzibar-influenced food and stalls. The day was based in a local church and many people attended from the Christian and Muslim communities, as well as families of children from the local primary school where Layla is a governor. The children sang songs and and helped out with fundraising by running guessing games and a nail-painting stall. It will be good to see the children benefit from learning more about other cultures through this link.

 

Layla Moh'd Yahya and Charlotte Davies from Swansea YMCA have travelled to Zanzibar to teach English to children aged 5 to 15 in the Kizimkazi Region

 

Layla, originally from Zanzibar, chairs the Bigger Heart Swansea-Zanzibar Community Link, formed following discussions with village elders, while YMCA development support officer Charlotte is an experienced English teacher.

 

Chief executive of Swansea YMCA Anne-Marie Rogan said: "We are keen to forge links with, and support, like-minded organisations".

 

Source: http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/news