About us

Learn more about our story and meet the team behind ZEHO

Our Methodes and Priciples

Empowerment through education
Behaviour change for sustainable change
Cultural sensitivity and inclusivity
Together is better: focusing on community engagement
Evaluation is key

From desperation to action: The story behind ZEHO

In the heart of Zanzibar's Mtende village, a transformative journey unfolded as Svenja, a health psychology student from Switzerland, reunited with Hilali, a local acquaintance she had met during a psychology internship two and a half years earlier. Immersing herself in the rhythms of village life for six weeks, Svenja's connection to the community deepened, exposing her to the pressing social, health, and environmental challenges faced by the villagers.

Driven by a profound sense of empathy and a desire to effect change, Svenja felt compelled to take action. With Hilali's support, having long been familiar with the community's struggles but lacking a solution, she sought to understand the root causes of these challenges and devise solutions.

Our journey took a significant turn when Svenja fell ill and was treated with care and compassion by Dr. Salmin, a local medical doctor. Moved by his dedication to serving the community, Svenja learned of his dreams to help the less fortunate, despite the financial constraints. That's when Svenja's vision for change began to align with Hilali’s desire to support his village and Dr. Salmin's dream to make a meaningful impact.

Our team grew with the addition of Ibrahim, a compassionate social worker whose dedication to helping others mirrored their own. Together, we embarked on a mission to empower communities, to address health and environmental issues at their core, and to bring about lasting change.

Our path was not without obstacles—founding an organization proved to be a daunting task. Yet, fueled by our shared passion and strong determination, we continued. On Svenja's final day in Zanzibar, ZEHO was officially registered—an accomplishment that marked the beginning of a new chapter in our journey.

As we look back on our journey, we know that the road ahead may be long and challenging, but we are fueled by a shared purpose and an unwavering belief in the power of collective action. With each step forward, we move closer to our vision of a healthier, more sustainable future for Zanzibar.

Our Team

At Zanzibar EcoHealth Organization (ZEHO), we recognize the power of collaboration in achieving remarkable outcomes. Our organization thrives on the collective expertise of a diverse team, each member bringing their unique skills and knowledge to the table to support the realization of our objectives.

WhatsApp Image 2024-03-20 at 13.40_edited.jpg

Dr. Salmin Ali Muhidin

Founder and COO

As a passionate doctor from Sansibar, Dr. Salmin leads the health projects in the remote villages and orphanages. His close contact with the communities and local health experts enables him to develop and implement needs-based solutions.

Svenja Staubli

Founder and CEO

Svenja, a dedicated Master Psychology student from Switzerland, leads our fundraising and develops innovative behavior change interventions. Her research ensures the quality assurance of our programs and strengthens our mission to create sustainable change.

Hilali Hemed Vuai

Project Manager Mtende

Hilali is our allrounder who is successfully implementing the waste project in Mtende. His extensive knowledge of agriculture and tourism enables him to offer training courses and workshops that contribute to poverty reduction through sharing his skills and knowledge.

Ibrahim Tallib

Secretary and Project Manager

With his many years of professional experience as a social worker, Ibrahim focuses on developing social environments, particularly with regard to vulnerable children and families. His empathetic approach and commitment help to sustainably improve the living conditions of these communities.

Sara Poschung

Board Member and Head of Women's Empowerment

The Swiss Arts and Humanities student joined our team to assist Svenja with administration, fundraising, and social media. With a deep understanding of the significance of empowerment and the impact of culture on health and well-being, she will lead our women's programs and develop new cultural programs later on.