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St Thomas Primary School
Nawal shared the story with St Thomas Primary School, helping the Wales-Zanzibar connection grow.
Wales · Charity · Community
Where the bigger heart beats at home.
Bigger Heart began when Nawal shared her story with her primary school, St Thomas, in Swansea. Today our work in Wales includes after-school clubs and community programmes that promote health and wellbeing through fun team-building activities, cultural exchange, and school trips.
Wales to Zanzibar
These projects strengthen the bonds between our two communities.
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After-school clubs
Recent Wales projects include creative, physical and well-being activities for children after school and at weekends.
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Trips and experiences
Fun 4 All includes trips and experiences that support children's confidence, social skills and well-being.
What we do
Our mission
“Our mission is to empower the lives of these individuals, ensuring brighter futures for all, in spite of their backgrounds.”
Learn more
Founded
2009
A story shared from Zanzibar with a school in Wales.
Origin
At age seven, Nawal and her mother visited Kizimkazi Village in Zanzibar. They encountered children on the beach selling handcrafted items instead of attending school — because their families could not afford uniforms.
2009
Charity began
A story shared from Zanzibar
10+
Projects
Implemented in Zanzibar
2
Focus areas
Health and Education
1179065
Registered charity
England & Wales
Projects
Our causes
Voices
In their own words
“Zuleikha is going to university — a sentence we couldn't have written a few years ago. This is what sponsorship makes possible.”
Bigger Heart team
From our latest news
“You'll get experience first hand of what we do, and form a connection with the young people of Zanzibar.”
On volunteering
From our supporters page
“The connection between Zanzibar and Wales is something that is very important to us.”
Bigger Heart Zanzibar
From Forming Links
Latest news
Latest news
Updates from our community in Wales — clubs, fundraisers and the events that keep this work going.
ZanzibarAugust 2026
Progress of Well Building in Pemba
Progress on the well in Pemba has been steady and encouraging. The structure is now solid and taking shape.
Read update
WalesJuly 2026
Fundraiser Event Success – Water Well in Pemba
We collaborated with Friends of Jersey Park and managed to raise over £600 to build a water well in Pemba, Zanzibar.
Read update
WalesJune 2026
Fundraiser – Build a Water Well in Pemba
Join us for a special fundraiser hosted with support from Friends of Jersey Pavilion Park, as we come together to build a water well for a local community in Pemba.
Read update
Wales1 July 2025
Introducing Fun 4 All — A Free After-School Programme for Children in Swansea!
Fun 4 All is a free programme for children aged 6 and above in Swansea schools, funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.
Read update
Wales10 February 2024
We're Launching Creative Bridges at St Thomas Primary School!
A brand new programme for the children and families of St Thomas Primary School, funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.
Read update
Wales21 June 2023
Thank You for a Wonderful Fundraising Evening!
In June, Bigger Heart hosted a fundraiser to help support three orphaned students: Thuraya, Zuleikha and Nayla.
Read update
Wales20 June 2023
Coming Together for a Great Cause — Fundraiser for Zuleikha, Thuraiya and Nayla!
Year 4 (now year 5) had fun researching and making different products in June. Their hard work paid off, and they made a profit of £334.
Read update
GeneralPinned
Welcome to Bigger Heart Zanzibar
Welcome to the Bigger Heart Zanzibar website! We are a Wales-based charity enriching the lives of children, young people and vulnerable members of the community.
Read update
WalesSeptember 2019
Introducing Dance 4 All — A New After-School Club for Children in Swansea!
Dance 4 All, our brand new after-school project at St Thomas Primary School, funded by The National Lottery Community Fund!
Read update
Wales12 June 2014
Honoured to Receive the Wales African Learning Award!
We are so proud and grateful to have been awarded the Wales African Learning Award! This recognition means the world to us.
Read updateBigger Heart in Zanzibar
Our work in Zanzibar
Education, health, water and wellbeing projects with children, young people and families in Zanzibar — where our story began.
Visit our Zanzibar website
Support us today
Help keep our clubs in Swansea running.
Our after-school clubs give children a place to play, create and grow in confidence. Volunteer, donate or fundraise to help us do more.