About Chako Zanzibar
Suleiman and Anneloes, the Zanzibarian-Dutch couple, founded CHAKO in 2012 with a strong vision for change. Faced with the enormous waste production of the tourism industry and the challenges young people, especially women without education, face in finding a job, they decided to start a social enterprise that tackles these problems.
CHAKO started with just a few artisans, but has now grown into a network of 38 talented artisans. Suleiman, born and raised in Zanzibar, brings his deep knowledge of local culture and traditional crafts, while Anneloes brings her expertise and passion for sustainability from the Netherlands. Together they have created awareness around the reuse of materials, which allows them to transform more and more glass and plastic waste into beautiful, handmade products.
By organizing workshops and improving the skills of the artisans, CHAKO not only provides a better economic situation for these people, but also promotes a culture of creativity and innovation on the island. The couple believes that combining social impact with aesthetics and functionality is the key to the success of their business.
CHAKO is not just a business; it is a movement focused on empowering local communities and protecting the natural beauty of Zanzibar. The impact they make goes beyond just creating products; it changes lives and inspires others to take action too.
