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 A BRIEF HISTORY OF CREATIVE SOLUTIONS RESOURCE SYSTEMS

INITIATION

The NGO is the brainchild of Mbarouk Saad and Aida Ayers. Mbarouk is a self taughtlinguist with a passion for teaching and Aida is an artist and art educator. They

shared a passion for education and the dream of havingtheir own community based school. Mbarouk is from thevillage of Mangapwani and Aida fell in love with thevillage at first site. They began building their homehere in 2002 with the idea that they would eventuallybuild a school. The NGO was officially established in2006, but they began teaching classes where ever andwhen ever possible in 2002. In 2007 they finally movedinto their home and invited people from the communityin to study. Classes were held in every room excepttheir kitchen and bedroom.

Around that same time they began fundraising efforts to

build an all purpose classroom. Friends and businesses weresolicited to donate 50,000 Shillings (40U$) to help buildthe classroom and in return their name or business became apermanent part of the building as a sponsor. The classroomwas put to use in 2007, though not yet complete. The mainhouse then became the computer center, although electricitycame much later. Through a good friend Brenda Moot they wereconnected to the Marlie in Paradise Foundation, who becametheir most generous donor. MIP donated the money for thefirst four computers and the completion of the roof of the classroom. Localbusinesses, Zenith Travel and Tours and Stone Traders supplied the funds to completethe floor and walls in the classroom and provide teaching materials for students.

FUNDINGTo date the NGO has survived on donations andsponsorship from individuals who visit the site,friends and family from America, local businesses whosponsor programming and the fees that volunteers payfor room and board. Fundraising events are heldannually for special projects and Aida and Mbaroukcontinue to work outside to support themselves and theNGO.

VOLUNTEERS

In September of 2007, the first international volunteer arrivedat CSRS from Germany, she taught theater and English. Up tothat point, all classes were taught by Aida and Mbarouk. Forthe following two years volunteers would be housed in the mainhouse, the rooms which are now Aidas studio and Mbarouksoffice. In 2009, MIP agreed to sponsor the building of avolunteer house. Funds generated through its occupancy wouldbe used to sustain the NGO and hire a permanent staff of formerstudents of CSRS. Marlies house was completed in February of

Volunteers in

Kiswahili class

2009 fundraiser at 

 Afrodesia Studio

Main Classroom

Computer class

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2010. Since 2007, CSRS has had over 60 volunteers, teaching English, German, Dutch,Spanish, Art/Crafts, Cooking, Business Management, Computer Skills, Theater, Music,Health Care, Sewing, Yoga, Gardening, Electrical Engineering and Computer IT.

THE STUDENTS

CSRS offers adult education and life skills training,focusing on helping students discover their passion anddeveloping the skills toturn that into an incomegenerating profession.The first group of 15students enrolled in the2 year program in 2007.Out of the 15 we had 7graduates, 5 of the 7

continue to volunteer at CSRS with the intention ofbecoming permanent staff and eventually running theNGO. Other students are interested in attending forshorter periods of time to learn computers, art orEnglish. Since 2007, over 200 students have been educated from the village ofMangapwani and surrounding villages. Of the students who have completed at least oneyear; two have acquired work in the tourism sector, one has become a teacher, two arestudying their O Levels, two found work in Dar es Salaam, four are working for CSRS,two are pursuing acting careers.

PROJECTS

Besides the regular classroom activities, CSRS has heldspecial events for the community, such as, the AnnualCommunity Health Fair, Art/Craft Holiday Fair, Artistworkshops, Mangapwani Community Development workshops,tuition classes for Secondary students, Community artprojects, end of Ramadan celebrations, a communitywell, weekly bloodpressure and glucosetesting. In 2009 CSRSopened a pre school onsite, which admits 15

students each year age 3 to 5. Classes are taught by alocal teacher, Bi Nasra Yusuf, who has 12 yearsexperience. The children study the Tanzaniacurriculum, along with art, music, sign language andEnglish. The students and the teachers salary aresponsored through individual donations of 45U$ for onestudent for one year.

Creative Solutions Resource SystemsPO Box 4630 Zanzibar Tanzania East Africa

www.creativesolutionszanzibar.co.tz creativesolutionszanzibar@yahoo.com 

E nglish class

Opening Day 

Preschool children

Students going to class