At Zara Tanzania Adventures, travel should not only inspire explorers but also uplift the communities that make every adventure possible. This belief gave rise to Zara Charity, a non-profit organization founded in 2009 by Zainab Ansell, “Mama Zara”, the visionary director of Zara Tanzania Adventures.
Through Zara Charity, tourism becomes a tool for empowerment, supporting education, environmental conservation, and sustainable livelihoods across Tanzania. Every traveler who embarks on a journey with Zara Tanzania Adventures contributes to lasting social impact, ensuring that the beauty of Tanzania benefits both visitors and locals alike.
About Zara Charity Tanzania
Zara Charity Tanzania is registered under certificate number 00NGO/00003212 as a non-profit organization. Since its founding, it has been committed to creating tangible change by connecting global citizens, travel partners, and local communities.
Mama Zara established the charity to align tourism growth with social responsibility. What began as a small effort to support porters and guides on Mount Kilimanjaro has evolved into a nationwide movement that empowers women, supports orphans, and protects the environment. Today, Zara Charity Tanzania stands as a model for how tourism and community development can thrive together.
Vision, Goals, and Objectives
Zara Charity’s vision is to enhance community-based sustainable development through tourism. Its mission is rooted in compassion, empowerment, and environmental stewardship.
Core Objectives include:
- Supporting marginalized groups, orphans, women, and underprivileged individuals by providing access to food, shelter, and education.
- Improving the welfare of porters and guides who make mountain expeditions possible.
- Promoting environmental conservation to ensure the long-term sustainability of Tanzania’s natural wonders.
- Empowering communities economically and socially through skills training and education.
- Expanding impact globally by partnering with like-minded organizations and travelers.
Through these goals, Zara Charity bridges the gap between adventure and altruism, creating opportunities that transform lives.
Key Projects by Zara Charity
Across Tanzania, Zara Charity implements community projects that combine empowerment, education, and conservation.
Moshi Kids Center
Zara Charity runs this initiative in Moshi through the Moshi Kids Centre, a haven dedicated to providing education, care, and a safe environment for underprivileged children. The center’s mission is rooted in the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and reach their full potential.
Through community and traveler support, Zara Charity supplies essential items such as clothing, school materials, food, and sports equipment, while also welcoming international volunteers to engage directly with the children. By nurturing young minds, Zara Charity delivers more than material aid; it offers hope, shaping the next generation of educated and empowered Tanzanians.
Maasai Pre-School Project
Education is the foundation of long-term change. The Maasai Pre-School Project aims to provide early childhood education to children in remote Maasai communities.
By learning Swahili and basic literacy skills before entering primary school, children become better prepared for continued education. The program also encourages families to support formal learning, helping to break cycles of poverty and illiteracy.
Zara Charity’s vision is to expand this project by constructing additional classrooms and facilities to accommodate more children in need.
Maasai Women Empowerment Group
Zara Charity’s Maasai Women Group focuses on liberating women from cultural and economic constraints by offering skills training, education, and employment opportunities.
Through workshops and small-business initiatives, women gain independence and confidence while contributing to their families and local economies. The project has become a beacon of hope for Maasai women seeking equality and self-reliance.
Mount Kilimanjaro Clean-Up Project
Registered in 2005, the Mount Kilimanjaro Porters Society (MKPS) works to protect the welfare of porters who play a crucial role in every mountain expedition. Through training and advocacy, MKPS ensures fair working conditions, safety, and dignity for these unsung heroes.
Zara Charity collaborates closely with MKPS to provide resources, scholarships, and improved facilities for porters, creating a model for ethical trekking in East Africa.
This initiative not only keeps the mountain clean but also raises global awareness about responsible trekking and environmental care. The project has inspired climbers worldwide to treat Kilimanjaro as a symbol of ecological stewardship.
Beyond the mountain, Zara Charity and MKPS have also extended their environmental stewardship to coastal regions through the Ocean Cleanup Campaign, aimed at protecting Tanzania’s marine ecosystems. This initiative brings together volunteers, travellers, and local communities to remove plastic waste from beaches and coastal waters, reinforcing Zara Charity’s mission to safeguard Tanzania’s natural beauty and the land and sea that sustain it.
Tree Planting Project
In Pasua, Zara Charity Tanzania operates a tree nursery that produces and distributes seedlings to local schools and communities. The program educates residents on the benefits of tree planting, soil protection, and carbon reduction.
By involving students from Kaloleni Primary School and community members, the charity instils a sense of environmental responsibility among the next generation, ensuring that Tanzania’s natural heritage continues to thrive.
The Asali Project
Established in 2022 and based within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the Asali Project is one of Zara Charity’s innovative sustainability programs designed to empower local communities through beekeeping. The initiative provides training and start-up support for families and women’s groups to produce organic honey, promoting both income generation and environmental conservation.
By promoting forest and pollinator protection, this project supports biodiversity and creates economic opportunities in rural areas. “Asali”, meaning “honey” in Swahili, symbolizes the sweetness of sustainable living and community cooperation.
Connecting Tourism and Charity: How Travelers Contribute
Every adventure booked with Zara Tanzania Adventures directly supports Zara Charity’s programs. When travelers climb Kilimanjaro, join safaris, or explore cultural tours, a portion of their travel investment goes back into local communities.
Guests are also encouraged to visit charity projects during their stay, planting trees, volunteering at children’s centers, or engaging with Maasai artisans. This approach transforms tourism into purpose-driven travel, where every experience contributes to the social and environmental well-being of Tanzania.
The Future of Zara Charity
Looking ahead, Zara Charity aims to expand its footprint across Tanzania by developing new education and conservation projects, increasing volunteer participation, and strengthening global partnerships.
Upcoming goals include completing the Maasai Pre-School construction, growing the tree-planting network, and enhancing programs for women and youth entrepreneurship.
With continued support from travelers, partners, and the Zara Tanzania Adventures family, the charity envisions a future where tourism fully supports sustainable community development.
How to Get Involved
There are many ways to be part of this mission:
- Travel with purpose — book your next safari or Kilimanjaro climb with Zara Tanzania Adventures.
- Volunteer or donate through www.zaracharitytanzania.org.
- Partner or sponsor a community project to make a long-term difference.
Every action counts, from planting a tree to sponsoring a child’s education. Together, we can turn exploration into empowerment.
Together, We Build a Better Tanzania
Zara Charity embodies the heart of Zara Tanzania Adventures, where every expedition carries a message of hope and responsibility.
Guided by Mama Zara’s humanitarian vision, the charity continues to uplift lives, protect the environment, and prove that tourism can indeed be a force for good.
When travelers choose Zara Tanzania Adventures, they don’t just see Tanzania; we help shape its brighter, more sustainable future.
