Zanzibar School of Hope. Our Continued Journey, Together

By Andy Barber, CEO, Micom Technologies Ltd

Visiting the Zanzibar School of Hope with my wife and children wasn’t just a holiday moment, it was one of the most profound experiences I’ve ever had. The school, its staff, and especially the children, left an indelible mark on all of us. In that moment, I realised, Micom had to do more than observe. We had to be part of their journey.

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A Visit That Changed Everything

Walking into the school, I was struck by something simple yet powerful: hope. Under the warm sun of Nungwi Village, I saw children learning with joy, despite limited resources. Their resilience humbled me. The teachers deeply committed, caring, and skilled inspired me. It became clear that this was not just a charity project: it was a community alive with possibility.

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Why We Support the School of Hope

At Micom, our purpose goes beyond business. Our technology is built to unlock connections, but our mission is to deliver impact. Supporting the new build at School of Hope is our way of turning that mission into something real: classrooms, infrastructure, and a safe space for more children to learn, grow, and dream.

Our investment is not just financial. It’s a partnership rooted in shared values  integrity, compassion, and long-term thinking. We’re honoured to contribute to a project where every brick laid, every teacher trained, and every child welcomed matters deeply.

The Story Behind the School

The Zanzibar School of Hope is part of the Maono Foundation, a community led organisation driven by a simple but profound belief: education changes lives.

• The school’s journey began in 2015, when Coco started teaching around 18 children under a tree in Nungwi Village.

• By 2016, thanks to generous donors, the school moved into a modest building.

• Over the years, through volunteers and local commitment, the school added classrooms, a medical room, electricity, and a water tank  and introduced a daily porridge programme.

• The Maono Foundation, co-founded formally in July 2016, now supports five schools across Zanzibar, all rooted in the values of community, respect, and opportunity.

Through this growth, the school today serves more than 200 young children, with eight local teachers delivering lessons in Swahili, English, Maths, and more.

Micom’s Role: Our Ongoing Commitment

Our support is multilayered and deeply intentional:

• Funding the Build: We are fully committed to the next phase, helping with the build of new classrooms and facilities so more children can access education.

• Raising Awareness: Within Micom and beyond, we’re sharing the story, rallying our community, clients, and partners to join us.

• Sustainable Impact: This isn’t a oneoff donation. We are investing in infrastructure and people because sustainable change means longterm partnerships.

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What This Means to Me (and My Family)

“Standing in the classroom, watching the children learn … I felt a responsibility, not just as Micom’s CEO, but as a parent. I want my children to grow up believing that compassion isn’t optional it’s a choice we make every day.”

“Our support of the School of Hope isn’t about us ‘saving’ anyone. It’s about standing alongside a community that is doing incredible, courageous work  and helping in whatever way we can.”

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Looking Ahead: How You Can Help

If you’ve been inspired by this story, I invite you to join us:

1. Visit the School’s Website - Learn more, follow their progress, and stay connected: Zanzibar School of Hope Maono Foundation

2. Donate - Contributions help build classrooms, support teachers, and provide daily essentials.

3. Share the Story - Spread the word within your network. The more people who see this, the greater the impact.

Final Thought

Our journey with the Zanzibar School of Hope is personal. It’s not just one of our charity initiatives it’s a part of who Micom is becoming. By supporting this community led vision, we are investing in more than buildings we are investing in futures, hope, and the kind of impact that lasts.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

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