Tanzania Health & Humanitarian Fund
So Little Does So Much
The United Republic of Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world. 58% of the population lives on less than $1 per day. The poverty level is worse in the rural areas, where most of the Tanzanians live and where 85% are farmers using inadequate and antiquated hand tools.
Education is one of the most effective means for reducing poverty. The Tanzanian government has made recent strides in its educational programs and with compulsory education for children ages 7 through 14, but poverty and inequality remain major deterrents. The government now pays fees for primary education, but children incur other expenses related to their education, amounting to about $100 a year, a prohibitive cost for many children. Only 20% of the children attend secondary schools; those who finish earn three times as much as those who do not complete secondary school. The Tanzanian government is providing a more conducive environment for outside organizations and agencies to invest in the country’s education, which is, in reality, dependent upon non-government donations.
Overriding the challenges of education are the struggles for survival. Life expectancy in Tanzania is 46, and the average age is 15. Malnutrition is the cause of about 50% of child mortality. Approximately 1/2 the population is affected by malaria, which remains the leading cause of death. Hospitals and clinics are under-staffed and under-supplied. Poor transportation or no transportation to clinics and hospitals is blamed for many preventable deaths.
About two million Tanzanians are living with HIV/AIDS, but less than 20% of AIDS patients receive adequate or appropriate treatment. 50,000-60,000 children are born HIV positive and many of them die before they are 5 years old. Over 1.1 million children under 15 years are orphaned to AIDS. By 2010, the death rate from AIDS will have increased by 50%. The Tanzanian government recently revealed that by 2020 schools will lose more than 27,000 teachers to HIV/AIDS.
In spite of their struggles to survive and create a strong, competitive economy, the people of Tanzania are peaceful, and Tanzania is typically described as one of the most politically stable countries in Africa. The Tanzanian economy is agriculturally dependent, with cotton, coffee, tea, cashew nuts, sisal, maize, rice, and tobacco the main crops. 42% of its budget continues to be funded by foreign aid; the country is the largest recipient of aid in sub-Saharan Africa.
The true essence of Tanzania lies within its people, their interaction with each other and the variety of rich cultures they display. Tanzania is a colorful nation of diverse people who speak a variety of African languages, although the two official languages are Swahili and English. Tanzania is home to a few large tribes, namely the Masai and the Bantu tribe.
Tanzania has maintained its culture and heritage despite the global influence on this beautiful diverse country. Understanding and appreciating Tanzania requires getting to know its people. The people tell the story.
www.TanzaniaHHF.org • Post Office Box 395 • Powhatan, Virginia 23139-0395 • info@TanzaniaHHF.org