Montessori Bububu, located around 10 km north of Zanzibar Town, includes a kindergarten, primary school and orphanage (Montessori Orphans Organisation, M.O.O.).�
Around 25 children attend the kindergarten. They paint, play, learn how to write and do "learning by sound" (songs, rhymes, games, etc.). The primary school is attended by a total of 28 children aged 7 to 15 years, out of which 16 are
in their first year and 12, in their second year. The school suffers from a lack of funds as many parents cannot afford school fees, and thus, are unable to pay salaries to teachers. Currently, apart from volunteers, the only other teachers are the school director, Suzana and her two oldest daughters. Volunteers teach English, which is typically done through educational games, songs, rhymes, etc. The organization, which was founded in 2006, is also a home for around 40 orphans and vulnerable children, whose parents cannot afford their up bringing or are sick. school children are funded through the fees attained through the Montessori School, though in most cases, fees cannot be afforded and the conditions of the children can be extremely pitiful, with most meals being just rice and beans. Instead of bringing gifts, we recommend volunteers to do some private fundraising, which makes it possible for M.O.O. to buy better food ingredients for the orphans and vulnerable children. Everything the children need can be bought on the island, and “luxury” items such as soft toys, clothes, games etc. are not of primary importance; space to keep such items is also minimal.��
Other than teach English, volunteers spend time and do leisure activities with the orphans and vulnerable children in the afternoons, such as going to the beach (which is only 5 minutes away) doing excursions, (for instance to Jozani Forest and ZALA Park), or doing Daladala day trips to other places in Zanzibar. There is also an interest in environmental education. The school has recently started its own gardening project which looks to to cater to the center’s need for fruits and vegetables – they currently grow tomatoes, courgettes and beans. The school director Suzana Maziku, who has 5 children herself, is highly motivated and proactive, making it easy for volunteers to enjoy their work. The day usually starts at 6 in the morning with the preparation of breakfast, which is always porridge; the children of M.O.O. have breakfast at 6:30 a.m. Classes are from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.��There are 2 weeks of holidays before Christmas, before Easter and during Eid-Al-Fitr. Before these holidays, the students write their exams which will be corrected after the holidays. The school is attended by Christian and Muslim children, which is unusual in Zanzibar. Volunteers can participate at the church services; even if you are not a religious person, this is an interesting experience.