Project Zawadi (PZ) is a US-based non-profit organization whose mission is partnering with communities, school, and teachers to support quality education for Tanzanian children and youth.

Partnering with communities in Tanzania and based in the Nyamuswa area in the country’s northwest, Project Zawadi works to support quality education for Tanzania children and youth. Project Zawadi’s three program areas develop educational capacity through the following:

1. Student sponsorship: identifying the community’s neediest children and providing them with everything they need to attend and thrive in school, including school uniforms (required to attend school), shoes, textbooks, supplies, mentoring, and support.
2. Tenda Teachers: Promoting teacher professional training and develop using the active teaching and learning approach. Connecting education professionals with resources and each other to improve the quality of instruction in schools.
3. Model Schools: Partnering with communities to develop a vision for their local schools and working together to make that vision a reality through things like teacher training, additional student support, infrastructure projects, etc..

Project Zawadi students are selected by village education committees comprised of school administrators, school teachers, and parents utilizing selection criteria. Selections must be equitable on the basis of tribe and gender and avoid nepotism by members of the selection committee. After the committees select the students, the Project Zawadi staff review the selections to ensure they are fair and appropriate. Read full merit program procedures

We monitor student progress and well-being on an ongoing basis. Staff provide regular reports on enrollment, attendance, academic performance, physical health, and emotional well-being. Teacher training participants evaluate each training program and their feedback is used to adjust training materials and presentation. Project Zawadi Board Members conduct site visits several times a year to plan, review program implementation, ensure fiscal accountability, meet with students, and to consult with staff, teachers, and local communities.

Email us at info@projectzawadi.org for more information and to be connected with our Director of Teacher Training for notification of future training opportunities.

To be eligible for the Merit Program, students must be from the Nyamuswa area and meet the criteria outlined in the application procedures

Email us at info@projectzawadi.org for more information and to start the process.

Project Zawadi maintains an active presence across programs through our blog, a variety of social media outlets, and our website. Please like, follow or sign-on for updates:

• Website: www.projectzawadi.org
• Blog
• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube

Zawadi is the name of one of the first students to be sponsored. Zawadi is Swahili for “gift.” The name was chosen to reflect the belief that each child is a gift, and that there is no greater gift than that of education.

Project Zawadi is funded entirely by voluntary donations. Project Zawadi‘s work is made possible by the generosity of individuals, corporations and foundations.

Project Zawadi is deeply appreciative of every contribution we receive, and we are committed to careful stewardship of your gift. Donations are used to support our students, including the provision of books, uniforms, and school supplies. Donations provide professional development training and materials for teachers, and enhance the quality of education at partner schools through improved infrastructure, student support, teaching and learning aids, and teacher training.

Project Zawadi‘s financial information is available on our IRS Form 990. The most recent filing can be viewed at www.Guidestar.org by searching for Project Zawadi. For specific questions or requests, please contact us at info@projectzawadi.org.

You can donate in three ways:

1. One-time or automatically recurring donations can be made via our on-line giving portal powered by Network for Good. Use the simple process detailed on this page to initiate the donation.
2. You can download a printable form here if you wish to mail in a donation via check or credit card (one time donations).
3. If you wish to make a gift of stock, click here for more information.

If you wish to make a gift of stock, click here for more information.

At the time of your donation you can indicate if the gift is in memory or in honor of someone. If you provide an email or postal address for the person being honored, Project Zawadi will notify them of your gift.

Yes, Project Zawadi is a registered 501(c)3 organization, as recognized by the Internal Revenue Service.

Project Zawadi‘s Tax Identification Number is 06-1629249. This information is sometimes needed for foundations, corporations, or other organizations making contributions.

Donations to Project Zawadi are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. It is always advisable to check with your own financial or tax advisor on tax matters. We acknowledge all donations with a letter that can be used as a tax receipt. If you make your donation online, you will receive an acknowledgment email from Network for Good immediately. Please print it for your records; it is your tax receipt. Donations sent by mail generally are acknowledged within 1-2 weeks.

Due to the high cost of transporting books to the villages where we work, it can be difficult and costly to arrange for shipment of books or other bulky supplies. Many sources for books and education materials that are culturally and age-appropriate for our students exist in Tanzania at a good price. As an alternative to direct donations of goods, consider a monetary donation to purchase these materials locally instead.

If you are interested in making an in-kind donation, please contact us at info@projectzawadi.org to discuss the items you have in mind and the timetable for your collection.

Nope. We never have and never will!  Please review our donor privacy policy for more details.

We occasionally have a need for volunteers, but please note that most of the services we require are administrative and computer related tasks in the United States. We do not currently coordinate a volunteer program in Tanzania, but some limited volunteer opportunities do exist if you have specialized skills or experience related to one of our program areas (professional photographer, teacher, construction, etc.), and are willing to travel to Tanzania independently.

If you are interested in volunteering with Project Zawadi, please contact us at info@projectzawadi.org. It is helpful if you can include information about the skills you offer and the type of work that most interests you.