Our Volunteer’s Experience Supporting Healthcare in Zanzibar

While The Orange Trust provides a wide range of medical and material resources, an equally important aspect is gaining hands-on experience and stepping outside our comfort zones to truly understand the realities faced by communities in other countries. Volunteering with the organisation offers exactly that opportunity. Hannah, one of our volunteers, had the chance to witness this impact firsthand during her visit to the Kizimkazi Health Centre in Zanzibar, as well as the Umra Orphanage.

During her time at the health centre, Hannah worked alongside Dr. Aflah, a local dentist. Together, they brought dental care to remote communities and villages. By securing a portable dental chair and essential dental equipment for basic check-ups, they were able to travel to locations where many locals had never had access to a dentist before.

Hannah also visited the Umra Orphanage, where The Orange Trust provided infrastructure support to address various building issues, helping to create a safer and more secure environment for the children.

Reflecting on her time in Zanzibar, Hannah explained that the experience opened her eyes to where donations to The Orange Trust truly go and helped her fully realise the impact they have on people’s lives, which made the work feel even closer to her heart. She shared that the gratitude in people’s eyes and the quiet relief of long-standing physical pain being eased are moments she will carry with her forever.

Leaving Zanzibar, Hannah felt deeply humbled, yet warmed by the knowledge that the work carried out will have a lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of local communities.