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.
Who we are
A charity born from a single visit.
Bigger Heart is a Wales-based charity organisation established in 2009 by Layla Yahya and Nawal Simpson that works to enrich the lives of children, young people and vulnerable members of the community.
Since 2009
Wales-based, working with children and young people in Zanzibar.
Mission
Why we’re here
“Our mission is to empower the lives of these individuals, ensuring brighter futures for all, in spite of their backgrounds.”
Origin
A seven-year-old’s memory.
Kizimkazi Village
A childhood visit became the start of the charity.
Visiting the local Kizimkazi school, Nawal saw classrooms without doors, windows, or roofs; hard floors with potholes; and students enduring extreme heat and rain. Most attended without breakfast, surviving on one meal a day.
Later in the day, Nawal played with some of the children and learned a few more words in Swahili. Some children were not wearing shoes, making the long walks to school even more challenging in the heat.
She asked her mum if she could give one of the children a pair of her shoes, as well as some of the toys she had brought along. Over time, she started to donate other useful items such as stationery and clothes.
Moved by what she saw, Nawal began donating shoes, toys, stationery and clothes. She shared the story with her primary school, St Thomas — the spark that grew into the charity Bigger Heart Zanzibar.
Health · Zanzibar
Heart conditions in Zanzibar
A note from co-founder Layla Yahya — and the cause that drives much of what we do.
Achieved so far
Two ECG machines and five pulse oximeters, donated to the Organisation for the Children’s Heart Zanzibar (OCHZ). Our next milestone is an Echo machine — and we need your help to get there.
Support this cause“In Zanzibar, there are approximately 1,700 registered individuals living with heart conditions, many of them children. I first became aware of the severity of this crisis during my visits to the island, and it has driven much of what we do as a charity. Hospitals in Zanzibar are severely under-resourced, and as a result, hundreds of people are left vulnerable, unable to access the treatment and medication they urgently need.
In 2019, we received the heartbreaking news of the passing of two wonderful young girls, Salma and Rahma, both of whom had helped me during my visits to Zanzibar, and both of whose lives were cut short due to the lack of proper medical treatment. I also witnessed, during one of my visits, the devastating loss of four-year-old Khayrat, a beautiful little girl whose life could have been saved with the right care.
As someone who lives with a heart condition myself, I feel this cause deeply. With your support, we have already been able to raise enough to provide two ECG machines and five pulse oximeters. Our next goal is to raise £15,000 for an Echo machine, a piece of equipment that is essential for the diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions, and could save countless lives. I am determined to do everything in my power to give these children a fighting chance.”
Water · Pemba
The Water Well Project
Benefits of sustainable water sources.
Access to sustainable water sources transforms communities in profound ways. In rural Zanzibar and across Tanzania, millions of people still lack reliable access to clean water. The benefits of a well extend far beyond convenience:
01
Health
Clean water dramatically reduces waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and diarrhoea – which remain leading causes of child mortality in Tanzania. Communities with safe water sources see lower rates of illness and improved child survival.
02
Education
When water is available locally, children – especially girls – no longer spend hours each day walking to collect water. This time is freed up for school attendance and study. Research consistently shows that access to clean water correlates with higher school enrolment, particularly for girls.
03
Women's empowerment
The burden of water collection falls disproportionately on women and girls. A nearby water source gives them back hours of their day, allowing them to pursue education, income-generating activities, and community participation.
04
Economic resilience
Clean water supports agriculture, small businesses, and food security. Communities with reliable water access are better able to withstand drought and build sustainable livelihoods.
Founders
Mother and daughter.
Co-founder
Nawal Simpson
University student and co-founder. At age seven, Nawal visited Kizimkazi Village in Zanzibar with her mother — an encounter that would shape the rest of her life.
Co-founder
Layla Yahya
Co-founder of Bigger Heart Zanzibar, working alongside her daughter Nawal to build the charity from a single childhood visit into an enduring connection between Wales and Zanzibar.
Interviews
Hear it in their own words.
Watch our interviews below, or open them on YouTube.
Impact in Wales
The work also lives in the Welsh community.
School work, after-school clubs, trips, and cultural exchange help keep the Wales-Zanzibar connection active and visible.
01
St Thomas Primary School
Nawal shared the story with St Thomas Primary School, helping the Wales-Zanzibar connection grow.
02
After-school clubs
Recent Wales projects include creative, physical and well-being activities for children after school and at weekends.
03
Trips and experiences
Fun 4 All includes trips and experiences that support children's confidence, social skills and well-being.
Timeline
How the work grew.
- 012009
A first visit
A seven-year-old Nawal visits Kizimkazi Village with her mother. The story of the children on the beach begins to take shape.
- 022009
St Thomas joins in
Nawal shares what she has seen with her primary school, St Thomas. The community begins collecting and donating.
- 032014
Library project
The Mama Layla Library project supports children with books, desks and chairs.
- 042016
Computer room project
The computer room at Kizimkazi School is completed, with computers donated through St Thomas Community Church — a real step forward for learning and IT.
- 052016
Crochet project
The crochet project supports young women with skills linked to autonomy and sustainability.
- 062019–2023
Dance 4 All
Weekly dance and arts & crafts clubs at St Thomas Primary School, funded by The National Lottery Community Fund — continued through the pandemic.
- 072024
Creative Bridges
Creative Bridges supported children, families and the St Thomas Primary School community through creativity, movement and cultural exchange.
- 082025–2026
Fun 4 All
Fun 4 All provides children with positive experiences after school and at weekends.
- 09Today
Health & dignity
We are currently collecting sanitary products and raising money for an echo machine, while continuing education and well-being work. We also raised money to build a water well in Pemba, bringing clean water to a community in need.
Partners
We do not do this alone.
- St Thomas Primary School
- Wales Africa Community Link
- St Thomas Library
- The National Lottery Community Fund
Registered Charity Number 1179065 · England & Wales
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.