A Canvas Castle in Zanzibar: How One Tent Changed 36 Lives
A Canvas Castle in Zanzibar
By Hannah Rose-Wynter for Boutique Camping
Solo travel has a funny way of teaching you who you really are, simultaneously its the perfect enviroment to also create who you are. For me, channeling both, my journey led all the way to Zanzibar - and unexpectedly into one of the most meaningful partnerships and experiences of my life.
On New Year's Eve & newly single I travelled to Zanzibar with worryingly loose plans, but with a heart open to adventure and a desire to give back. What I didn’t expect was to partner with Boutique Camping to create a brand‑new safe space for 36 beautiful children who call Montessori School their home and their classroom.
Sadly, through one reason or another all 36 children, aged 10 months to 14 years old, are orphans and are without family and stable homes. Some have never truly had the chance to just be kids. My dream was to give them a space where they could laugh freely, play loudly, imagine wildly - and feel safe while doing it.
Volunteering, Cuddles & a Big Idea
While volunteering at the school, my days were filled with teaching English, dancing, playing games, handing out cuddles, and forming bonds I’ll treasure forever. Somewhere between lesson plans and playtime, an idea sparked: What if we could build something lasting for them?
I reached out to Boutique Camping with a wild but hopeful vision — to gift the children a Luna Bell Tent that could become their shared playroom, chill‑out space, and creative sanctuary.
They said yes.
And just like that, the plan became real.
£1,500 in Three Days
My social media following isn’t huge, but what it is… is mighty. I shared the story. I shared the dream. And my community showed me the true meaning of quality over quantity.
In just three days, we raised £1,500. I even reached out to two of my V.I.P. followers, Davina McCall & Alison Hammond in hope they could share my footage, and they did!
It felt like proof that kindness still ripples far beyond screens.
Collecting the Tent (and a Surprise)
The end of my trip brought an unexpected adventure: a visit to the airport to collect the Luna Bell Tent (4m - 285gsm).
Why the airport? Because - fun fact -Zanzibar doesn’t have a postal service... not so fun for little old me who found herself in the centre of a chaotic customs and packing frenzy.
So there I was, wheeling this giant bag of dreams through arrivals.
Next stop: Montessori School.
All Hands on Deck
When we arrived, I chose a handful of the children to help pitch the tent.
Watching them lift the canvas, slot poles into place, and see the tall Luna walls rise into the sky was one of my favourite moments of the entire trip.
Their faces. Their pride. Their excitement.
They weren’t just watching a tent go up - they were building something that belonged to them.
A canvas castle.
The Great Zanzibar Shopping Spree
With the tent standing tall, I headed back out onto the (very overstimulating) roads for what can only be described as the most intense shopping trip of my life.
First stop: school supplies.
We stocked up on books and stationery - enough to last the children an entire year.
Next: toys.
Puzzles. Dolls. Scooters. Bikes. Balls. The lot.
Then came essentials:
Baby bottles. Washing powder. Toiletries. Everything in between.
And finally… pillows.
There are 36 children. Many share beds. And I realised - none of them had pillows.
Something we take completely for granted.
With a little negotiation and careful budgeting, I managed to buy all 36.
Thirty‑six tiny wins.
Giving Back, Twice Over
One of the most beautiful side effects of the day was seeing how happy the small business owners were.
It’s not every day someone walks into your local shop and clears half the shelves.
Supporting them while supporting the children made the whole experience even more rewarding.
The Big Reveal
Back at the school, the children were in class.
It was time to unload the car and furnish the tent.
Books. Toys. Pillows. Games. Scooters. All (very temporarily) laid out and presented in an Instagrammable layout.
I zipped open the Luna doors. Rolled up the big windows. And called the children in.
They froze. Then screamed. Then ran. Then laughed.
It didn’t stay tidy for long.
A Community‑Built Dream
The children were overwhelmed. Probably overstimulated. Definitely overjoyed.
And honestly? So was I.
What Boutique Camping, myself, and the kind hearts of Instagram pulled off together still doesn’t quite feel real.
That Luna Bell Tent is more than canvas and poles.
It’s a symbol.
Of generosity. Of community. Of what happens when strangers decide to care.
And of what’s possible when you dare to ask: What if?
Thank You
To Boutique Camping - thank you for believing in this dream and trusting me with something so special.
To my community - thank you for proving that kindness is louder than algorithms.
And to the 36 children of Montessori School - Asanta Sana (thank you in Swahili) for changing my life.
I came to Zanzibar alone.
I left with a family.
If you feel touched by my story, and want to support the children at all, the contact details to reach to owner are below:
Montessoriorphans2006@gmail.com OR/AND suzanamaziku@yahoo.com
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