WEZA empowers girls of all abilities in Zanzibar to grow with confidence, dignity, and joy — through football, Purposeful Play, and safe, inclusive learning spaces.
In communities where girls face stigma, limited opportunities, and health challenges, we create supportive environments where they can play, learn, and lead — building life skills, health knowledge, and the foundation to thrive in school and in life.
Source: WEZA Programme Feedback Surveys, 2024–2025
In Zanzibar, many girls face barriers to health education, equal opportunities, and participation in sport and play. WEZA creates safe, inclusive environments where girls can develop physically, emotionally, and socially — growing with confidence, dignity, and joy.
Through football and Purposeful Play, girls build life skills, learn about their bodies and rights, strengthen their mental wellbeing, and develop the confidence to speak up, lead, and participate fully in their communities. Our programmes are inclusive and welcome girls of all abilities.
Our Programs"Before joining, I was afraid to speak. Now I feel confident and proud to be part of the team."
— Zanzibar Sparks player
We envision a future where every girl, of every ability, grows up with dignity and equal opportunity — equipped to shape her own future and contribute to a just, healthy, and inclusive society.
CHEZA Hubs ("Play Hubs" in Swahili) are safe, inclusive spaces where life skills are nurtured, essential knowledge on health and rights is shared, and futures are shaped — through the joy of football and the power of Purposeful Play.
CHEZA Hubs are WEZA's primary delivery platform: a growing network of empowering learning spaces hosted in schools, community centres, and sports clubs across Unguja and Pemba.
The CHEZA Hub model serves as WEZA's primary delivery platform—a network of vibrant, inclusive spaces where Purposeful Play methodology comes alive. Through these hubs, we're building a sustainable infrastructure for girls' empowerment that spans schools, community centers, and sports clubs across Unguja and Pemba.
The heart of training, coordination, and safeguarding
Our purpose-built headquarters is the heart of WEZA's work, serving as a space for training and mentoring coaches and teachers, curriculum and methodology development, and programme coordination with strong safeguarding oversight. The hub is also home to the CHEZA Social Impact Girls' Football Academy, supporting up to 100 talented girls each year.
Where weekly learning and play come together
In partnership with schools, communities, and sports clubs, WEZA delivers inclusive weekly programmes through CHEZA School & Community Hubs. Each hub integrates football, Purposeful Play, health education, and leadership development — supporting school engagement and helping reduce the risk of dropout.
Creating sustainable grassroots girls' football structures with integrated teams for girls with disabilities, including Goalball teams for girls with visual impairments. Monthly mini-matches and annual Inclusive Girls' Football Cup.
Learning through games, movement, and reflection to build life skills, confidence, voice, and awareness of health, rights, and environmental responsibility.
Regular, inclusive football training that builds physical skills, teamwork, discipline, confidence, and a strong sense of belonging.
Menstrual health, nutrition, mental wellbeing, reproductive health, and protection from gender-based violence taught through play and open discussion.
Safeguarding-led environments where girls of all abilities feel safe to participate, express themselves, and grow confidence and resilience.
Teamwork, leadership, and decision-making built through football and Purposeful Play.
Training and long-term support for teachers, community health workers, and coaches to deliver high-quality, inclusive, and safeguarding-led programmes.
WEZA's work operates through five interlinked pathways, recognizing that sustainable impact requires aligned change across multiple levels.
Creating gender-responsive safe spaces where girls participate freely without fear of violence, harassment, or exclusion.
Building skills, confidence, and agency through training, mentorship, and the Purposeful Play methodology.
Engaging communities to shift social norms around girls' participation in sport, education, and leadership.
Embedding inclusive, safeguarding-compliant practices into schools, institutions, and policy frameworks.
Developing safeguarding-led talent pathways ensuring opportunity without exploitation or abuse.
We support foundational life skills through purposeful play and football, fostering teamwork, leadership, and resilience.
Essential play-based health education focusing on menstrual health, mental wellbeing, and gender-based violence awareness.
Driving girls' football development and fostering key skills, confidence, and leadership across Zanzibar.
Creating equal opportunities regardless of ability, fostering an inclusive environment where every girl can thrive.
Real programs. Real impact. Here's what we've achieved together.
Twende Olympics was a Sport for Development project launched by the French Embassy to Tanzania, supporting sport practice while promoting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris 2024. WEZA implemented programme activities using sport as a tool to deliver health education, life skills, and inclusive play.
An early Sport for Development initiative combining football-based activities with empowerment workshops on menstrual health and hygiene. The project strengthened girls' access to sport, health education, life skills, and peaceful cooperation using play and guided reflection as learning tools.
Executive Director & Co-Founder
Senior Coach (Purposeful Play, Football & Disability Inclusion)
Programme Director (Purposeful Play, Safeguarding) & Co-Founder
What Your Donation Supports
Training footballs for regular practice
Reusable menstrual hygiene pads supporting dignity and participation
Football kit and boots supporting a girl's regular training
Football session with integrated Purposeful Play on health, rights, and life skills
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