This is Tanzania
TANZANIA
The East African country of Tanzania is one of the few African countries to have never experienced civil war or a military coup. It faces many problems, but war is not one of them. A primary reason for this can be attributed to the first president of Tanzania, Julius Nyerere. From the time of independence in 1962, his strong message to all Tanzanians was: You are first and foremost Tanzanians, and we are one folk. Your loyalty to your religion, region, and tribe is subservient to the knowledge that we all equally belong to our nation of Tanzania.
The situation in Tanzania in 2024 is as follows:
Population of approximately 70 million, which makes it the 21st most populous nation in the world, The population is predicted to reach 130 million by 2050, thus making it the 15th most populous nation in the world.
median age is 17.2
urban population is 39%
Population growth is 2.94%.
Example of school toilets that desperately need to be replaced
Malnutrition and stunting remain serious human development challenges in Tanzania.
Typically challenging ‘road’ on which almost everyone walks—note women (yes, always women!) carrying quite heavy loads (goods to sell on the market) on their heads. Our car is often full of hitchhikers. Lifti? Lifti? is the refrain often heard as we pass with empty seats. Our record is nine delightedly sandwiched adults in the car, including the back space. Sometimes they have to get out while I struggle up an incline or negotiate a difficult stretch.
Many girls cannot stay at school during menstruation times. We have women’s groups make kits which are then distributed free to help minimise this significant interruption to their education.
A typical classroom that demonstrates the challenges faced by resource-poor schools. Typically, classes are filled to overflowing with 80+ students. Teachers are in short supply and teaching materials are scarce.
The sole current source of water in Mambo during the dry season.
A phototherapy machine (which we recently donated to Lushoto hospital) is frequently used to treat jaundice In newborn babies
Nutrition supplies for the month
Tanzania is a nation where unfairness exists in abundance
It is ranked among the poorest nations in the world. A 2023 United Nations Development Programme report estimated that 57.1% of the population, measured by access to effective health services, education, sanitation, safe drinking water, electricity, and housing, can be classified as poor.
The below statistics have been gathered from what we consider reliable sources: the UN and the World Bank. UNICEF and the Tanzanian government. We believe they are reasonably accurate for comparison purposes.
In summary:
Education, while officially compulsory, is hampered by poor infrastructure and a dearth of teachers.
Health clinics, too, are hampered by a lack of medical equipment and well-trained staff. Children are particularly vulnerable, with stunting rates as high as 30%.
Almost all rural communities, where the majority of the population lives (65%), lack a safe water supply.
It should be noted that the national government, under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has had some success over the past three years in reducing the above common indicators of poverty. But her task remains enormous.
In our quest to reduce unfairness in our world, we have seen ample opportunity in Tanzania to make a small (in the larger scale of things) but, hopefully, significant impact on the lives of those living in our chosen areas of operation. Please look at the Campaign page for further information.