1. family and parenting
2. children

BTS NEWSLETTER
www.btsociety.org
Hongera!
We’ve passed the
£70,000 and can hope
that by Christmas we
can end the Appeal with
more than £75,000.
Thanks to all who have
helped.
www.tanzdevtrust.org
January 2015
Volume 13 Issue
Volume 13
Issue No 1
THE SAFE HOUSE AND
VOCATIONAL TRAINING
CENTRE ARE BUILT- Well,
almost! By the end of November, when the
FGM Cutting season begins in Mara, Mama Rhobi
the Project leader tells us that 80 girls fleeing FGM
will come for sanctuary to the Safe House. They
will find that the buildings of the Safe House and
Vocational Training Centre (VTC) are complete,
although the VTC will not open until January.
Donations have come from France, Germany (where two girls gave their pocket money), the
USA (especially the Friends of Tanzania), and England. Here people have dug deep into
their pockets, held special evenings, run fell races, sold their art work and ceramics, bought
cards and artefacts and taken Mama Rhobi and this project into their hearts. Several Trusts
have donated most generously; more than 280 individuals have given through Global Giving
and Just Giving. In all we have now been able to transfer around £70,000 to Mara Diocese.
But we haven’t finished and especially Rhobi’s friends in Bamford Chapel in Rochdale are
going on fund-raising right through December – see page 11
Mama Rhobi was here in late September and for three weeks in
October- but, she nearly wasn’t! Her Visa was refused by our
Government even though she was due to speak in the House of
Commons! A massive campaign was mounted over a week with
more than 30 MPs and ministers being contacted and the
Government gave in. Rhobi’s tour was a huge success. She covered
700 miles, spoke to 17 different groups in London and the Home
Counties, Yorkshire, Lancashire and Worcestershire and to schools,
churches, Soroptimists, a university and in Portcullis House of the
House of Commons and raised over £9,000 to date, with some more contributions to come.
So that’s it then?
Done and Dusted?
Well, not quite
See page 13
Page 2
Bridge2Aid
BTS Newsletter January 2o15
BTS member Mark Topley writes:
“What drives the Bridge2Aid vision forward is the welfare of children like Dayness and that of the
literally millions of people in Tanzania and across East Africa who woke up in dental pain”
Hidden Suffering
It’s early morning in Karagwe, Kagera Region in
March 2014. Dayness, an eight year old girl,
arrives at a rural dispensary in agony. Her
father has spent more than a day’s wage on the
transport to get there, such is his desperation to
help his young daughter. She has been in pain
for many months – constant, excruciating pain unable to sleep at night, unable to eat properly,
unable to attend school.
And she isn’t alone - there are more than 300
other people who have arrived hoping to get
relief from their pain. This is a community
racked by the untreated effects of the world’s
most common disease – dental caries.
Dental pain is
among the most
debilitating,
constant, and
excruciating
conditions known
to man. Anyone
who has ever suffered knows the pain, and how
it is quite unlike any other.
What we aren’t always aware of is just how
much of a significant financial, social and
academic impact it has if not dealt with
promptly. Whilst in the UK there is ready access
to affordable emergency dental services, in
rural communities of Tanzania there is no such
access, and people live with acute dental pain
for months and years. And in an increasing
number of severe cases, where the infection is
not adequately treated in time, toothache can
kill. An American NGO working in Sengerema
District reports an average of one death a
month simply because the patient could not
find access in the rural area where they live, to
a simple tooth extraction.
And whilst it may be a dream to place a dentist
in every health centre, that solution remains
unaffordable at the level of technical expertise
and equipment that modern dentistry requires.
And so what Dayness, her family, and millions
of her fellow Tanzanians living in rural areas
need, is simple access to safe emergency
treatment within reach of their homes.
10 years ago, Bridge2Aid, a small British
NGO, in partnership with the Tanzanian
Government, developed a means to provide
sustainable access to essential emergency
dental pain relief in
the rural areas.
The model tackles
the issue
sustainably, through
the training of
existing rural
community health
workers (Clinical
Officers – COs), enabling them to provide
simple dental pain relief and oral health
education. We also provide the equipment and
resources to treat patients after training. Each
CO serves a rural population of around 10,000
people, and training is provided by volunteer
dentists from the UK, who fund their own trips.
Since 2004, the training
programme has had
fantastic results,
training over 310 COs
through 61 training
programmes. COs
respond well to training, with 92% passing the
course on first attempt, working 1:1 with their
qualified dentist trainer. To operate training
courses, we offer a free clinic in a rural
dispensary, and
these clinics have
now treated more
than 27,000 people.
But this can be more
than doubled every
year by the COs
treating patients in their Health Centres and
Dispensaries when they return to work – where
protocols are followed and good leadership
exists, Bridge2Aid-trained COs can treat 300500 patients each per year.
The result for the community is huge - patients
no longer have to travel long distances for
simple treatments – around 92% of dental
problems can be treated immediately.
BTS Newsletter May 2o14
Bridge2Aid
Achievements of Bridge2Aid (contd.) Only 8%
require referral to dentally qualified personnel in the
District Hospital. And the treatment they receive is of
good quality - of patients that visited a Bridge2Aidtrained CO, 94% were satisfied or very satisfied with
the service.
There is good news for the qualified dentists that do
exist in the District Hospitals as well. By having a
Bridge2Aid-trained CO in post, the numbers of dental
referrals from rural clinics to district dental facilities
is typically reduced by 80%.
To support Bridge2Aid go to www.bridge2aid.org
Miscellanoeus
Page 3
Kew and Tanzania Links
Kew is on the cusp of renewing its agreement
with the Ministry of Natural Resources & Tourism
in Tanzania which formally ended in 2010, to
allow for an extension of The Millennium Seed
Project, a seed collecting and plant conservation
effort.
It also has other collaborative projects underway
including the Afromontane Plant Conservation
Project (the East African Mountains are a globally
recognized biodiversity hotspot with many
unique and threatened species) and the Flora of
the Serengeti Ecosystem. Timothy Pearce,
Kew International Programme Co-ordinator.
Future of Tanzania’s Maasai
The president of Tanzania has pledged never to evict the Maasai people after an international outcry against
plans to turn their ancestral land into a commercial hunting ground for Arab royalty. The promise tweeted by
President Jakaya Kikwete "There has never been, nor will there ever be, any plan by the government of
Tanzania to evict the Maasai people from their ancestral land" was hailed by the Avaaz global activist
group after a two-year fight during which 2.3 million people signed a petition against the proposal.
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_the_maasai_2014_uk/?bXyfkab&v=48738
Maasai representatives also welcomed the announcement but struck a note of caution, “we will only feel
safe when we have permanent rights to our land in writing.”
Miscellaneous: Requests for information
Did you live in Dar es Salaam in the 1960s or 1970s?
“As part of my PhD research, I am looking to interview anyone, whether Tanzanian, British, or otherwise, with
experience of life in the city during the period, especially people who had some contact with politicians, diplomats, the
media, or other public figures. If you would be happy to speak to me, please get in touch at
george.roberts@warwick.ac.uk Many thanks”.
George Roberts PhD candidate in History, University of Warwick
Did you know of Mary Hancock?
“I am an historian of Tanzania on the faculty at the University of Wisconsin in the USA. I am currently conducting
research on Christian women in Dar es Salaam during the Ujamaa years. I have conducted numerous interviews with
Tanzanian women over the past several years about their work, their activism and their advocacy. One of the names
that keep coming up is Mary Hancock, who I believe taught at the prestigious Tabora Girls School and was an
important figure in what some call the Christian Women's Movement. The women I have spoken with speak very fondly
of her, and cite her as an important influence in their lives.
I know that, sadly, Mary Hancock passed away many years ago. But I am wondering whether it is possible for me to
learn more about her life's work. I would love to chat with family members, for example, if any are interested in telling
me about her career in Tanzania. I am also very curious to know whether she has any papers that have been
deposited in any library or archive. Any guidance on this matter would be very much appreciated”. ejcallaci@wisc.edu
Emily Callaci, Assistant Professor, Department of History, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Were you involved with the Groundnut Scheme?
http://www.historytoday.com/richard-cavendish/britain-abandons-groundnuts-scheme "I am working with a tv
production company, Gig House Films, on a documentary about the Groundnut Scheme, which was the subject of my
post-graduate dissertation at Oxford. We are interested in interviewing anyone who might have been involved in the
Scheme (and, realistically given the time elapsed, anyone whose parents might have been involved), with a view to
using their recollections in the documentary.
I was wondering whether the Society might be able to help track down some relevant people for interviewing"
If this could be you, please get in touch with Charles Scott at charlesscott575@btinternet.com
Page 4
Swahili and Health Matters
BTS Newsletter January 2105
HESPERIAN is a well-known publisher of community-level health materials (e.g "Where there is no
doctor") and has now created a central place where you can find their community health guides and other
materials in Kiswahili. You can also share your own flyers, posters, and other adaptations of their health
materials. If you would like to get involved or learn more about this initiative at http://hesperian.org/booksand-resources/resources-in-swahili or contact Hesperian at hesperian@hesperian.org
Below is an extract from their website in Kiswahili and English
Nyenzo katika Kiswahili
Karibuni wote kwenye Tovuti ya Nyenzo na Machapisho ya Kiafya Katika Lugha ya Kiswahili. Shirika la
Hesperian kwa kushirikiana na COBIHESA na wadau wengine wa kujitolea linaanzisha Tovuti Moja
mahali ambapo unaweza kupata miongozo yetu kwa jamii juu ya afya na nyenzo zingine za afya katika
Kiswahili. Unaweza pia kuweka katika Tovuti hii machapisho na nyenzo zako mbalimbali za kuendeleza
afya ya jamii kama vile vipeperushi, mabango, na vingine ambavyo umetengeneza kutokana na miongozo
yetu ili kuwashirikisha na kuwanufaisha wengine. Iwapo unataka kushiriki au kujifunza zaidi juu ya juhudi
hii, tafadhali wasiliana nasi kupitia hesperian@hesperian.org
Resources in Swahili
Welcome to the Swahili language hub. Hesperian is working with COBIHESA and other volunteers to
create a central place where you can find our community health guides and other materials in Swahili. You
can also share your own flyers, posters, and other adaptations of our health materials—if you would like to
get involved or learn more about this initiative, please contact us at hesperian@hesperian.org
World AIDS Day 1 December, 2014
As of 2013, AIDS has killed more than 36 million people worldwide (1981-2012), and an estimated 35.3
million people are living with HIV, making it one of the most important global public health issues in
recorded history. Despite recent improved access to antiretroviral treatment in many regions of the world,
the AIDS epidemic claims an estimated 2 million lives each year, of which about 270,000 are children. In
2011 an estimated 1.6 million Tanzanians were living with HIV/AIDS, with 1.3 million being age 15 or
older. Based on 2011 data, AIDS has resulted in an estimated 1.3 million orphaned children
This short piece is an introduction to an article published in Femina magazine (May-July 2004). The
English translation is provided courtesy of Donovan McGrath about a child orphaned from AIDS in
Tanzania. AIDS is known as UKIMWI in Kiswahili (Ukosefu wa kinga mwilini)
Kuwatunza watoto wetu
Caring for our children
Kama walivyo watoto wengine, watoto
walioathiriwa au kuathirika na VVU/UKIMWI
wana haki zote kama watoto. Wanahitaji
kupendwa na kutunzwa ili waweze kuishi kwa
raha. Irene Andrew, mtoto mwenye miaka 11
ambaye kwa mapenzi yake mwenyewe ameamua
kutangaza kuwa anaishi na virusi vya UKIMWI,
anasema kuwa alikuwa akijisikia vibaya sana
wakati wenzake shuleni walipokuwa wakimtenga
na kumnyooshea vidole kwamba ana virusi vya
UKIMWI.
Like other children, children who have been
effected or affected with the AIDS virus have all
the rights as children. They need to be loved and
cared for so they can live happily. Irene Andrew,
an 11 year-old child who, by her own love and
affection, has decided to announce that she is
living with the AIDS virus, saying that she was
feeling bad about herself when her peers had
singled her out, pointing fingers at her because she
has the AIDS virus.
Free Swahili lessons
As advertised in previous newsletters, several BTS members
have all generously offered to assist members with some
informal lessons and conversations. These could be one-to-one
via Skype or in person, or in small groups, perhaps at a local
coffee shop. If you are interested in learning or practising
Swahili, contact Rachel Lindley rachel.lindley@gmail.com
GROLY2GOD by Willie Fulton
This is the motto displayed proudly on the back of a fleet of
daladalas in Mbeya. It has puzzled me for a long time. Is
'groly' some strange Nyakyusa word? It does not look as
though it has Bantu roots.
Then the riddle was solved. The penny dropped. How many
of us have seen in schools a room designated as ' riblaly' or
Liblary' or even ' Ribraly' - all being improvisations by the
sign writer for the Maktaba - the Library. So, yes, the fleet
of daladalas are putting their faith in the 'Glory to God’
BTS Newsletter January 2015
Asante Mama
TDT news
Page 5
A special report from TDT Committee member Dan Cook
I have just returned from a trip to Tanzania, the highlight of which was undoubtedly my two day stay in the rural village of
Ughandi B about 45km north east of Singida Town. TDT has recently agreed to fund two staff houses for a health dispensary
that is being constructed in the village, so the primary purpose of my visit was to meet the project manager, Abraham N’geni,
and find out how the project is progressing. However my experience proved much broader than this and has given me a better
appreciation of the challenges of daily life in a poor rural village in Tanzania.
My hosts were Abraham’s parents, Mzee N’geni and Mama Rosemary and they quickly proved to me that there is
nothing like the hospitality given by those who have very little. Mzee N’geni is in his late seventies and retired at the
age of 55 from his civil service role in the weights and measures department. He was one of those drafted in to fill
bureaucratic roles left vacant by the British following independence in the 1960s. This role had provided him, and
later his wife and growing family, a respectable middle class life, being posted to various cities across the country as
documented in his family photograph album. Retirement however proved cruel as the financial crisis in Tanzania in
the 1980s and early 1990s meant that all pension provision was scrapped, leaving the family to fend for itself.
As a bachelor in his early thirties, Mzee N’geni had prayed that he might meet a suitable wife and his prayers were
answered when he met beautiful sixteen year old Rosemary, who had come to live nearby to help relatives with
domestic duties. They were soon married and Abel, the first of their twelve children was born soon afterwards.
They consider themselves blessed to still have ten children, but speak emotionally of one stillborn child and their
beloved son who died aged fourteen from a heart condition.
Mama Rosemary proved to me how hard the rural women work, getting up at 4am to start her daily duties. This
involved provision of water for drinks and washing, chopping the firewood to
fuel her tiny kitchen, preparing and cooking the food, cleaning the modest house,
yard and chickens and doing the laundry.
But somehow, Mama Rosemary still had
time to make me welcome, host the various
house callers who visited and looking after
various young children from the village. I
quickly came to regard her as my African
mother. As we chatted late into the
evening, poor Mama found it difficult to
keep her eyes open, but still loved this communal time as many of her chores
involved her working on her own.
The family wealth consisted of four cows and a single sheep, which slept in a
small byre on the other side of the yard from the house. These had formed part of the bride price Mzee N’geni had
received for the recent marriage of one of his daughters. Some of them had already been slaughtered to feed the
guests at the going away celebration following the wedding. These larger animals were clearly the responsibility of
the Mzee, while caring for the collection of free range chickens formed part of Mama Rosemary’s many duties. It
seemed incredible that the livestock found enough fodder to sustain themselves in this semi-arid landscape, especially
towards the end of the dry season which was just drawing to a close during my visit. Mzee N’geni also kept three
beehives, two local log hives hanging in a tree on his 2 acre garden plot and a third which had taken up residence in
an old chest of drawers in the larder! Local beekeeping in Tanzania is not for
the faint hearted and the previous larder colony had to be exterminated
having killed the family dog and terrorized the village. When harvesting the
honey, no protective clothing is used, but Mzee told me that getting two
hundred stings is just the price you have to pay for the delicious honey.
The N’geni family provided me with a truly humbling experience
and, as I departed, the lump in my throat was testament to the fact
that they had captured my heart.
Asante sana.
5
Page 6
TDT News
BTS Newsletter September 2015
Reports from TDT on some recently completed projects
Fish ponds in Kagera region. Project Officer: Aseri Katanga
Kasheshe village in Kagera region was
allocated £3397.00 in 2012 for the
construction of three fish ponds and
purchase of 5,000 fingerlings (young
fish) to start the project. Now after
two years, the results are remarkable.
Not only do these people have enough
fish to eat, but they are able to sell
some surplus and use that money to take their children to school and pay
for health insurance for their families. This is for the first time in history, Karagwe have been able to get
fresh fish from their own locality. Thanks to TDT.
Kasulu Youth Development: Makere Vocational Training Centre
Kigoma region Project Officer: Philippa Grant
KAYD have had a very successful year and to a large extent their progress has been due to the money given
by TDT and the David Anderson Trust (DAAT). The funding provided by DAAT for trainer salaries has
enabled KAYD to invest in several other activities to provide better facilities for the students. As was said in
a recent report this 'will attract more students to enrol for courses in the future'.
KAYD completed building the boys’ dormitory with money from TDT, and then used money that would have
been spent on salaries to build a dining hall, 3 new toilets, a well and wash room. They have also managed
to buy new equipment and tools, particularly for the woodwork section of the vocational training centre.
They are now in the process of procuring reconditioned second hand tools through Crossroads, Hong Kong.
By the end of year 40 students will have had training at Makere Vocational Training Centre, some of them
having their fees subsidised by money saved from the DAAT salary payment. Without this, they would not
have been able to afford to attend. As it is, those students graduating now have the opportunity to seek
work or set up their own small businesses knowing they have the competent skills required.
To cope with anticipated increase in students next year, KAYD are seeking to employ another trainer before
the end of the year.
This is very much in line with KAYD's mission to provide youth with a training and possibility of future
employment, and would have been impossible without DAAT/TDT support.
Regular monitoring and follow up has ensured that this appropriate allocation of funds by KAYD has
produced the very successful outcomes for the students and staff.
Riders for Health, Mtwara region. Project Officer: Ron Fennell
In 2004 TDT made a grant of £5000 for the purchase and maintenance of a motor cycle supporting a rural
health project in Masasi Diocese. Six nurses use motor cycles to provide outreach health care in remote
villages. Thanks to the maintenance system developed by Riders for Health (a UK NGO) all the bikes are still
in good condition. The project has proven to be successful in bringing health care and health education to
many remote villages in Lindi and Mtwara regions.
Earlier this year TDT made a grant of £2200 to purchase replacement clothing for the nurses as the
protective clothing originally provided – essential for the rough terrain in which the nurses travel - is
wearing out. After prolonged delays in clearing the goods through Dar es Salaam port, the uniforms arrived
in Masasi on 17th November and are being used by Edmund, Magdalene, Dismas, Stephen and Judith - the
team of nurses that implement the programme. Liz and Ron Fennell plan to visit the project early in 2015.
Further reports and photos are expected soon.
6
BTS Newsletter January 2015
Page 7
TDT News
Solar power lighting Miswaki Secondary School. Simiyu region. Project Officer: Tony Janes.
Report from Mr.Shingisha Hela,
Head teacher
“The Miswaki secondary school
community is very happy in getting
solar aid from TDT. The 6 solar sets
were purchased and the
installation is complete. Miswaki
Secondary School is now having
light source and students are
attending night preparation, please
see the photos of the students now able to study in the evening. On behalf of Miswaki Secondary School I
say thank for your support and don't get tired of helping us for other projects as our school have shortage
of several facilities. Convey my greetings to TDT. GOD BLESS YOU, KARIBUNI KUTEMBELEA SHULE YETU”
For details of how you can buy a solar lamp for only £6 so students from other schools can study at home, see page 13.
Miungo village pipeline, Mtwara region. Project officer: Jonathan Pace
This project has been generously funded by Africa Palms Trust. It is expected that the connection to the
village will be completed and the water flowing from the river, 6 kms away, by the time a visit is made by
Julian Marcus in February.
The following interim report is from the village chair,
Bw Godfrey Makenzie
‘The required rolls of pipes have been purchased and were already in
site. 23 rolls of 1½ “ rolls were requested but the funds received only
enabled the purchase of 22 rolls. That was a challenge to the project,
producing a deficit of about Tsh
298,000/= Fortunately, this
amount was contributed by the
community so as to cover the gap
to get the remaining roll’.
The community is in final stage of
completing digging the trench –
see photo opposite
TDT: TANZANIA DEVELOPMENT TRUST
EVERY POUND GIVEN TO TDT GOES DIRECTLY TO PROJECTS IN TANZANIA
OTHER SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS reported to the recent TDT committee
meeting included:
Masekelo Secondary School desks in Shinyanga urban region and the following
highlighted reports among many from Julian Marcus as Project officer:
Maganzo Vocational Centre in Shinyanga region;
KIVIDEA computer training in Kigoma;
“In Their Shoes” documentary film on Disability and Prejudice in Mara region
at Lake Victoria Disability Centre, for which TDT has contributed support funding;
A projector for the Mara region diocese work against Gender Based Violence,
run by our recently visiting local representative Mama Rhobi Samwelly.
Other completed projects will be reported more fully in the annual report in July
and in future newsletters.
Jonathan Pace, TDT
7
Great news that takings
amounted to £516 on the
TDT stall at the Fair
Christmas Fayre, Salvation
Army, Oxford Street on
Saturday November 29th
Page 8
BTS Newsletter January 2o15
Dar es Salaam
Future Visions and Urban Development in Dar es Salaam
There is a building boom in Dar es Salaam. Some
of the new skyscrapers include hotels and offices.
But most of the space is flats, for example in these
40-storey blocks near the railway station (photo to
right) which look out over the harbour.
An extreme example of what may happen can be found
in the plans for Kigamboni City. This is a proposed new
satellite city which could house as many as 500,000
people. It is planned for the area “over the ferry” from
the mouth of Dar es Salaam harbour, extending about
12 km along the coast and almost as far South.
A new road bridge that will link it with the Chang’ombe
industrial area will open soon. The map below shows
where it is.
The map to the left shows how two urban geographers expect
Dar es Saalaam including Kigamboni, to develop and absorb
future growth even without the new city.
But below is the vision of the planners of Kigamboni City:
8
BTS Newsletter January 2015
Dar es Salaam
And below left is their concept of the
“international business zone” just across from the
ferry (with the golf course and beach in the
background):
Page 9
Whilst the picture below right shows their vision
of one of the residential zones, “designed in a
European style” in “a superior living
environment”:
The suburb will have its own water supply, from boreholes, some parks and water features, a tourism and recreation
area along the coast, and remotely controlled traffic signals designed so that traffic never has to stop.
A small area is earmarked for the “resettlement” (in flats) of those who already live in the area. But thousands already
commute on the ferries to work in Dar es Salaam, and there does not appear to be any extra provision for domestic
workers or those who will work in lower paid roles in the new offices or hotels. They will have to commute, on long
daladala rides from informal suburbs farther out.
Proposals like this are springing up in a number of cities in Africa – in Lagos, Nairobi, Luanda, Johannesburg and
many other places. Some appear to be modelled on Dubai and other ‘prospering’ cities. They are aimed primarily at the
emerging African elites. They are a product of rapidly increasing inequality which can be found in Europe, America,
the Middle East and many parts of Asia – rich business and professional classes, alongside poorly paid workers and an
underclass which barely survives.
In May 2014 the Tanzanian Government put Kigamboni City on hold – perhaps wisely as it was becoming increasingly
unpopular with those directly affected. But this development, and others with a similar approach, are not going to go
away. The Kigamboni Development Authority still exists. There is money to be made from this kind of development.
Investment in urban infrastructure is urgently needed – roads, bridges, liquid and solid waste disposal, surface water
drainage, flood protection, water and electricity supply, etc. But investment in a self-contained suburb will not bring
many benefits to the mass of the people of Dar es Salaam.
This article by Andrew Coulson is based on a presentation by Sarah Brennan at a Britain Tanzania
Society/SOAS seminar in London on 10 November 2014. Sarah is an urban planner who has recently
completed a master’s degree at University College London. She would like to acknowledge the help of the
Centre for Community Initiatives, Tanzanian Federation of the Urban Poor, Ardhi University, Dar es
Salaam, and the Development Planning Unit, University College London, and may be contacted at
brennan.sarah1@gmail.com
BRITAIN – TANZANIA SOCIETY AGM 2014
On Saturday 15th November 50 members assembled in Central Hall, Westminster for the 39th Annual General
Meeting of the Society. The meeting extended their greetings to Dianne Corner, former High Commissioner to
Tanzania, who now holds a posting with the United Nations in the Central African Republic. The formal meeting
was followed by a presentation from Alan Roe to which he gave the title “Tanzania and Extractives – structural
change ………………..another twist?” Members found this talk informative and interesting. Andrew Coulson
gave the vote of thanks in which he said that we should invite Alan to return in a few years’ time for an update on
these developments.
Next year will be the 40th AGM – see back page !
9
Page 10
TD news contd.
BTS Newsletter September 2014
Six weeks on the road in tanzania.
A report from TDT Communications Manager Janet Chapman
In August and September I visited 15 TDT projects plus another 10 from other organisations. It was an exhilerating,
inspiring and sometimes exhausting trip.
Anti FGM work in the villages. I had the privilege of spending
2 days on the road with Rhobi in Serengeti at her anti FGM road
show. Seven of us crammed into a small car with an enormous
sound system bumping along dusty roads to Minori and Magatini
villages. Although we were 3 hours late arriving due to an
emergency domestic violence case back in Mugumu there was a big
crowd of villagers waiting eagerly for us, alongside a row of chairs
carefully set out for us under a tree. For the next hour or so villagers
were informed and entertained by singing, dancing, traditional music
and a drama performance, all carefully choreographed by Rhobi and
the peer educators from the village she has trained to ensure the womens rights message came through. There was then
a community debate on “Is it true that early child marriage has health effects on girls?” It was very encouraging to see
all sectors of the village participating, even some quite young girls, after some prompting from the peer educators.
Rhobi spoke very movingly of her personal experience of FGM and
how she nearly died after being cut as a 12 year old. She had wanted
to refuse to be cut then, but had no one to turn to. This is one reason
she can identify so strongly with girls in the villages still in the same
position.
Visiting the Safe House.
After hearing so much about the Safe House as an idea it was a thrill
to finally see it in person - it was a building site then, in early
September, but going up amazingly quickly, and by mid November
it was already accomodating girls.
BINGO Tanzanian style. From the Safe House I went on to Tabora to visit a vocational training centre for
disadvantaged girls, run by another of our wonderful local reps, Philemon Boyo. I have never met a more cheerful
man, despite all the challenges and hardships he faces.
We visited some of the girls he works with in their homes,
and despite the often harrowing stories they told, he never
lost his positivity. The highlight of my visit was to be a
party for the girls and Philemon kept telling me excitedly
that this would include BINGO. To be honest I wasn’t
particularly looking forward to this and thought sitting
around crossing off numbers sounded rather dull. BINGO
Tanzanian style is a game about running madly around
bumping into people and grabbing them to join your
group, and was played with great hilarity and luckily no
major injuries.
Tablets. My final project visit was to the Ikimba schools where I
was to do some training on an e-learning project using tablet
computers. Luckily I brought 6 of these in my luggage as the ones
being shipped from Zambia were delayed for 3 months at customs in
Dar. Renatus, the TDT link teacher at Rubale with whom I stayed
for a week turned out to be an IT whizz. He soon got the hang of
using the tablets and loved the enormous range of content, the
audible dictionary and the thesaurus feature. Within a few minutes
he was demonstrating the features to staff and students alike. I’m
looking forward to going back in January to see how they are getting
on with the rest of the tablets and projectors.
For more detail’s of Janet’s blog: http://hiaragirlpower.blogspot.co.uk/
10
BTS Newsletter January 2015
Mama Rhobi’s Tour
Page 11
DIVIDED BY 7,000km UNITED BY LOVE
On the plot of land in Mugumu,
Tanzania where the Safe House
and Training Centre are nearing
completion stands a sign
'NYUMBA SALAMA' - (HOUSE
OF PEACE).
7,000km away in Rochdale, Lancashire, UK is the 200 year old
Bamford Chapel. Its building may be ancient by Tanzanian
standards, but its lively congregation includes many children. In front of the pulpit they
have built a model, complete with bunk beds, and above the model 'WELCOME TO OUR
SAFE HOUSE. The children have joined their parents in fund-raising and make cakes and
biscuits to be sold after all the services.
7,000 kilometres apart, but united by love and concern.
WELCOME
TO OUR
SAFE HOUSE
After Mama Rhobi went home at the end of her UK tour, she reflected: “Our friends like Tanzanians very
much, that is why are ready to support our projects. Different groups organised fundraising events; really
you cannot believe that you can invite different people and provide tea at your house and collect some
money for the project. Working in collaboration with other TDT members inspired me; all the time during
visiting different places, TDT members were available in the events.”
During Rhobi Samwelly’s tour of England, she spoke in 19 different
venues and travelled about 1200km, meeting people of all ages from
the very youngest to octogenarians and from schoolchildren to senior
Members of Parliament. She was interviewed in English on Eagle Radio
in Surrey and on the BBC’s Swahili television World Service- indeed the
power and speed of modern communications was shown by the fact
that the moment she emerged from the TV studio, she was receiving
calls of congratulation on her mobile phone from all over Tanzania.
The article on the left appeared on Oct 15th, the day Rhobi addressed
the All Party Parliamentary Group on Tanzania in Portcullis House, in
the Palace of Westminster. If this was a daunting experience, Rhobi
didn’t show it, and the warmth of the applause she received indicated
the feelings of the audience.
The biggest event was the fund-raising gala at Westminster Central Hall, and TDT owes the presiding Minister and the
Trustees immense gratitude for their kindness in ‘giving’ us the large Aldersgate Room for the evening as well as
making contributions to the project- and then many donations also came from members of the congregation.
One of the largest audiences was at the University of Worcester’s Centre for the Study of Violence and Abuse, mostly
composed of trainee social workers, nurses, midwives and youth workers, several of whom asked thoughtful and
challenging questions, which Rhobi handled with calm and ease. Many will be working with diaspora communities in
the UK where FGM continues to be a real threat to young girls.
Overall, the tour was an outstanding success and as a result of it around £26,000 was raised, including £13,000 most
generously contributed by one Trust that Rhobi visited. It is impossible to thank in this short article all those friends of
Tanzania who entertained Rhobi, organised events, bought cards and artefacts and gave donations. We hope that
your satisfaction is that all the money needed to build and equip the Safe House and Training Centre was raised and
that already, thanks to all who have contributed over the past year, 80 girls now have shelter in the Nyumba Salama
and are safe from the trauma and danger of FGM. Now they just need a kitchen……. See page 13.
Julian Marcus for the Safe House team
11
BTS Newsletter January 2015
Safe House Fundraisers
Page 12
From Citizenship Project to Safe House Fund Raisers and Speakers at Portcullis House
Below is an account of 2 West-Midlands school girls’ journey in their own words
“When we started a Citizenship project as part of our GCSE school work we were given the
chance to launch a campaign about a chosen issue, but we had no idea how far it would go.
We knew we wanted to do something about women’s rights and were just about to start
writing up our issue of inequality in the workplace when we saw a report on the TV about
Female Genital Mutilation. This was the first time any of us had heard of FGM. It shocked
and appalled us to find out that the procedure has no health benefits for girls and can cause
severe bleeding, urine retention, cysts, infections, infertility and increased risk of new-born
deaths, and that around three million girls are faced with this terrifying prospect every single
year.
FGM Petition and Girl Summit. After starting a Facebook and Twitter page promoting a petition to get the case of
FGM raised in Parliament, we got around five hundred signatures with which we were incredibly pleased. We also
wrote several letters to different charities and organisations. Jeremy Lefroy, the Stafford MP, immediately scheduled
an appointment to come to our school and talk to us about what he could do to help. He told us that this was an issue
that greatly touched his heart as he has relations in Africa, knows about FGM and is strongly against it. The Stafford
Soroptomists also visited our school to see our presentations and share their knowledge with us. In early July, Jeremy
emailed us to tell us that he had nominated Amy and me to represent him and Stafford in London at the Girl Summit
event, where not only were we very proud to attend, but we also learned that girls younger than us had already been
through more pain and injustice than Amy and I ever would.
Safe House Appeal
We had also received a letter in the post from the Tanzania Development Trust, telling us they’d heard of the work
we’d done and if there was anything we could do for each other. We researched more into this charity and found out
about the proposed building of a Safe House and Training Centre for girls fleeing FGM. After thinking hard about how
we could show Mama Rhobi we were serious about making a difference we had the idea to surprise her and the team
by organising a “Love Actually” Delivery service at our school where all the proceeds went straight to the Safe House!
We started by finding suppliers for chocolates, roses and cards and ordering in as many as we thought we’d need. Then
we priced them up, printed posters and put them up around school. Then as Valentines week came, we started taking in
money and orders. On Valentine’s Day we had an army of helpers delivering the presents for people and it was great to
know that we were delivering messages of kindness to bring kindness to others in a completely different country. At
the end of the week we had raised just over £150 for the Safe House and we sent it off straight away.
All-Parliamentary Group on Tanzania, Portcullis House, October 15th
Julian Marcus and Jeremy Lefroy who have both been incredibly supportive of our
campaign invited us to attend the All Parliamentary Group on Tanzania at
Portcullis House on October 15th which was discussing FGM with Mama Rhobi
Samwelly, an FGM victim herself and now a spokeswoman for all girls saying no
to the practice. We spoke with Julian and Rhobi before the meeting started, then as
we entered the meeting room we were greeted by Jeremy Lefroy, our Stafford MP.
We were about to find a seat at the back to watch the meeting, when Jeremy
insisted we sit on the panel with Dr Comfort Momoh MBE, a midwife who
specializes in the study and treatment of Female Genital Mutilation, Mama Rhobi
of course, Julian Marcus TDT Chairman, Ann-Marie Wilson, founder of 28 Too
Many, Lynne Featherstone, the Under Secretary of State for International Development, and our teacher.
We sat, almost star-struck, as they spoke about their visits and experiences, but then it was our turn. We had a small
speech prepared just in case we were asked to speak so we nervously told everyone what we’d achieved. We could hear
our voices being projected out of the speakers as we spoke into the microphone which was nothing like either of us had
ever done before!
Both of us are so proud of not only the girls saying no to FGM, but also everyone working to make even the tiniest
difference to their lives. We want everyone to know that even if the goal looks impossible - stand up for what you want
and what you believe and it will happen. We never imagined that a year on from starting our school campaign we’d be
sitting on a table talking alongside some of the most influential women in modern history - if that’s possible then so is
the eradication of FGM.
Julian Marcus thanked us again for our donations and we promised to continue contributing to the TDT charity.”
12
BTS Newsletter January 2015
TDT update
Page 13
Update on Safe House and Vocational Training Centre
And here is a message from one of the 80 girls already at the Safe House:
“My name is Angelina Nginge, I am 15 years old and I come from Magatini
village at Kenyamonta Ward in Serengeti district. This year my father wanted
to conduct FGM on me. Due to the trainings that I got at school on the effects of
FGM through the Anglican Church Diocese of Mara, I decided to escape from
home with the help of one of my teachers. I went to the safe house with the help
of my teacher who provided a bedroom to sleep on the night I escaped home.
Currently I am a form one student at ACT-BUNDA Girls secondary school. I
sincerely thank the ACT MARA for the safe house if it was not for them I do not
know where would I have gone.”
(Continued from front page)
At the moment there is no kitchen, and all the cooking is going to have to be
done in a garden shed, which doesn’t sound too good. The Diocese has decided to put the kitchen at the
back of a rather large multi-purpose dining hall, and the two buildings together with water and electricity
are going to cost another £25,000. That’s a bit steep, you might say, and we at TDT did too, until Rhobi
revealed what friends of Blackadder would recognise as a “cunning plan”!
The Dining Hall, which even includes a stage, has been designed so that it can be let as a wedding venue.
Tanzanians adore large wedding parties,
with plenty of loud music, dancing and
doubtless many speeches. The income
from the hall can then be used to help
the running costs of the Safe House. Seen
like that, it becomes a very good idea.
We shan’t be sending any appeals to members but if you would like to
contribute, click on Just Giving or send a cheque to the new TDT
Treasurer: Sam Macaulay, 317 Westmount Road, Eltham, LONDON
SE9 1NR. To make it worth 25% more, just write on the back,
“please claim gift aid” and put your address and signature.
Give the gift of light to a Tanzanian
schoolchild - Only £6
For only £6 you can provide a solar light to a school student and
their family in one of the poorest areas of Tanzania.
Students in the schools TDT support often
walk for up to three hours each way to school.
When they get home they have to collect
water before they can study. Their villages do
not have electricity and solar lights are
beyond the reach of their families who are
subsistence farmers living on around £1 a day.
Yet students are determined to study as they
know that education is their route out of
poverty. So they learn by candle light or
kerosene lamp, which damages their lungs,
when their families can afford it.
Your student
will have
been specially selected to receive a light by
their school because of their dedication to
their studies. The person you are giving the
gift on behalf of will receive by email a photo
of the selected student with their light,
together with a personalised message about
their background and hopes for the future.
Not only will this gift transform the lives of
the student and their family, it will also help
the environment. Each solar lantern saves a
tonne of carbon every 10 years.
To purchase solar lights please email Janet on j.chapman@tanzdevtrust.org Thank you!
13
Page 14
th
News from BTS Chairman
BTS
Newsletter January 2015
Education Seminar: “Raising attainment in Tanzanian Schools”
On Monday 20 October, the Society held a seminar of the current problems in secondary education. This was initiated by Caro
Walford, of the Changarawe Project, near Morogoro, who had three staff from the project in the UK at that time in order to take
part in their fifteenth anniversary. The seminar was held at the Paddington Academy, thanks to Luke Edwards-Jones, a staff
member of the Academy and the Chairman of Changarawe.
The meeting started with a presentation by
Felistas Kalomo, the director of
Changarawe, who gave a very illuminating
overview of the work of Chargarawe and of
the problems faced by her students in
achieving good results from their schools.
This was followed by a presentation by the
BTS Education Co-ordinator, Anne Samson,
who works with Katy Allen of the Village
Education Project Kilimanjaro.The final
presentation was given by Professor Elaine
Ulterhalter, who drew the threads
together, drawing comparisons from her
work in other countries.
The seminar was well attended by many
BTS members involved in the education
sector, either in Tanzania or from schools
in this country involved with exchange
programmes with Tanzanian schools.
The meeting overran so the Chairman had
to run for his train home, but the Society is
most grateful to the Paddington Academy
for providing refreshments, which allowed
the debate to continue long after the
official end of the meeting.
We very much hope that many of these
issues will continue to be discussed in
future meetings and/or on the Education
Group’s group on LinkedIn.
Sadly, but inevitably, given the nature of the subject, time was far too short
to consider any aspect of education in any detail, but the major concerns
raised included:
Lack of teachers and the teachers' lack of confidence
Poor grasp of English amongst secondary school teachers
High prevalence of corporal punishment (officially banned by the Min
of Ed!) due to the lack of confidence of the teachers
Inappropriate curricula
Multiple choice answers in exams lead to students guessing the
answers and not working them out (therefore they have a 33%
chance of getting the right answer!)
Lack of good facilities in schools - libraries and science labs
Girl retention - lack of sanitary pads, high pregnancy rates, cultural
pressures to marry
Textbook scams - different publishers for different school years
result in gaps in the curricula
Poor textbook/ student ratios
Poor English textbooks. There is a need to revert to the New
Oxford English Course, which is still used in many African countries.
Government changing the grading system to improve the results.
Political pressures on schools. e.g. primary schools without electricity
having to teach IT.
Lack of funding. Government budgets to give Tshs 10,000 per pupil
per year, but only pays Tshs 300 towards the end of the academic
year, so teachers often resource the class from their meagre salaries.
Problem areas in Maths are the same in Government and private
schools – particularly fractions, algebra, calculating areas.
Problems of teaching by rote.
Anyone wishing to join the Education Group should contact Anne Samson on thesamsonsed@gmail.com
For interesting statistics on the World Inequality Database on Education - http://www.education-inequalities.org/
POSSIBLE USES OF ESCROW MONEY!
Members will be aware of the political scandal which has kept Tanzanians on the edge of their chairs for the last few
months. Briefly, the sum of $122 million (Tshs 321 billion) has been paid out to the shareholders of companies
involved with the IPTL dispute with Tanesco many years ago. This money was being held in an escrow account at the
Bank of Tanzania. The main beneficiaries of this payout appear
to be 'close to the highest in the land'. See this edition of
Tanzanian Affairs for more details.
Some students have calculated what this money could have
purchased, if it had been put to good use by the Government.
These include:
2,550,000 primary school desks
47,076 wells for clean water
17,233 undergraduate students’ fees at universities for 3years
5,350 science laboratories at secondary schools
642 new secondary schools
5 national stadiums, as in Dar
5 72-seater aircraft for the ailing ATCL
2 new universities
14
BTS Newsletter September 2015
Page 15
Page 15
Ujamaa - The hidden story of Tanzania's
Karibuni
socialist villages".
The book has been
described as “an
astonishing story of
grassroots power and
creativity told by a
man who lived it.
Anyone with an
interest in the history
of Tanzania during
the time of Julius
Nyerere should read
this book”.
We welcome the following new members:
Hilary Brook, Croydon , Surrey
Marissa Alvarez , Binton, Warwicks .
After volunteering in Moshi I raised funds to
refurbish a kindergarten in a government
school, purchase materials and fund an extra
teacher. I continue building on this start with
new projects at the school.
Anne Holderness , Seaford , E. Sussex.
I lived in Tanzania from 1968 to 1990, when I
travelled fairly extensively. Since then I have
visited family there regularly, most recently in
July this year. Friends may remember me as
Anna Sefu.
It is now published, and is available from
Crossroads Books at a pre-publication price of
£14.99. To buy a copy online please visit:
www.crossroadsbooksonline.net
All royalties from the book will be used to help
build a library/research centre at the Ntimbanjayo
Memorial School, so by buying a copy you will be
helping Ruvuma Development Aid (which Ralph
founded) and further develop the school project,
while preserving the history of this amazing
grassroots movement.
Tanzania: A New Constitution?
A new constitution has been approved
by the Tanzanian parliament. It will be
used in the general election scheduled to
take place in October 2015, but only if it
first gets approval in a referendum, to be
held in April, where it must get
majorities both in Zanzibar and on the
Mainland. Contrary to the
recommendations of the Constitutional
Commission, the draft does not propose
three parliaments - one for Zanzibar,
one for the Mainland, and a third for
matters that just concern the Union making it extremely controversial.
There will be an opportunity for all
concerned - especially Tanzanians in this
country - to consider the issues it raises,
which go much beyond the number of
parliaments, and the best way forward at
the BTS Seminar at SOAS, London
WC1H 0XG, Feb 2015 2.00-5.00pm
Thomas Kroon , Hedgerley Green , Bucks
Nick Vynall , Cranbrook, Kent
Allister Carey, St Martin, Guernsey
Christabella Mhina Njawa , London
Helen Paul . Leussow, Germany.
I have been in almost continuous contact with
the islands of Zanzibar since 1984. I have
volunteered three times with VSO in the area of
ELT, in particular as a teacher trainer.
Diana Rosser, Northolt, Mddx
Roy Willis – Tributes from BTS Scottish
Group
Roy Willis, who died in October 2014 was an anthropologist
and a long standing and very supportive member of the BTS
Scottish Group. He and his wife, Mary who died last year,
hosted several parties at their home in Linlithgow where we
enjoyed many stories of his work in Tanzania and Zambia.
We in the Britain Tanzania Society Scottish Group, and
Tanzania Scotland Network, miss them both and send our
condolences to the Willis family.
Apollo Temu writes, “I am terribly sorry to learn that Roy
Willis is no longer with us. Roy was a strong supporter of
the Tanzania group even when his health was not at its best.
Roy will be missed. On behalf of myself, friends and
community of Tanzanians and our supporters, we convey
poles kwa familia. May his soul rest in peace.”
Lesley Lynch writes, ”When Roy's wife Mary became very
involved with the charity SASHITA Roy loved nothing more
than joining in on meetings and giving his expertise and help
to proceedings. Roy missed Mary greatly when she sadly
passed away last year. All members and friends of SASHITA
miss both Roy and Mary's passion for Tanzania and their
close friendship.”
15
BTS Newsletter January 2015
BTS WEBSITE
Look out for a new-look website in the
coming weeks. Ben Taylor, the deputy
editor of Tanzanian Affairs, has
volunteered to give the website a
facelift. Ben is also going to look into
the possibility of combining or linking
the TDT and Tanzanian Affairs
websites.
We are very grateful to Ben for taking
this on.
BTS CHAIRMAN TO RESIGN
William Fulton has announced that he
will not be seeking re-election as the
Society's chairman at the 2015 AGM.
By then, he will have completed five
years as chair. William says that he
has and is thoroughly enjoying the job.
It is a great privilege to lead the
Society, but it will be time for someone
else to bring fresh ideas to the role. A
small group has been set up to
consider and recommend a successor.
Back Page
Volume 13, Issue 1
SIGNIFICANT 2015 DATES
Saturday 28 February, 2.00-5.00pm
Seminar at SOAS London WC1H 0XG
Tanzania: A New Constitution? (see page 15)
BTS will celebrate its Fortieth Birthday.
The actual date is 4th November, but we are planning to hold
a celebration featuring Tanzanian music in Reading,
on a weekend close to that date.
As part of their celebrations, TDT will be making a short film
outlining the history of TDT. If you have any photos, stories
or anecdotes to share please email them to Janet,
j.chapman@tanzdevtrust.org
Please note that our 40th AGM will be held on
Saturday 14th November 2015.
BTS Who’s Who & Contacts
BTS President: HE Ali Hassan Mwinyi, former
President of the United Republic of Tanzania
BTS Vice-Presidents:
Sir Andy Chande, Derek Ingram,
Esther Mwaikambo, Ron and Liz Fennell,
Trevor Jaggar
TDT CHAIR: Julian Marcus 020 8668 5230
TanzDevTrust@gmail.com
TDT TREASURER:
Sam Macaulay 317 Westmount Road, Eltham,
LONDON SE9 1NR
TDT Communications Manager:
Janet Chapman j.chapman@tanzdevtrust.org
TDT card sales: ann@marcuses.co.uk
BTS Scottish Group contacts:
Ann Burgess
07858 481038
annpatriciaburgess@yahoo.co.uk
BTS Tanzania Chapter contacts:
Enquiries & Membership
btstanzania@yahoo.com
Chair Hon. Paul Rupia +255 713 605151
amb.rupia@gmail.com
BTS (T) Hon Sec Patricia Mlozi honsec@bts.or.tz
OR membership@bts.or.tz
16
Seminar
BTS CHAIR
William Fulton 01513 367393
fultonw@gmail.com
BTS MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY
Ann Brumfit 01737 210532
24 Oakfield Drive, Reigate, Surrey, RH2 9NR.
annbrumfit@yahoo.co.uk
BTS TREASURER
Jill Bowden 020 8886 8141
17 The Green, London N14 7EH
jillbowde@gmail.com
BTS EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
Dr Elizabeth Taylor 01869 243479
etaylorsjut@gmail.com
EDITOR TANZANIAN AFFAIRS
David Brewin 020 7727 1755
davidbrewin@btinternet.com
WEB EDITOR
Tim Watkins-Idle
timwatkinsidle@gmail.com
BTS NEWSLETTER EDITOR
Sue Mitchell 02036651144
suemitchell1953@hotmail.co.uk
suemitchell1953@hotmail.co.uk
NEXT NEWSLETTER DEADLINE
1st April 2015. Send to Sue Mitchell
33 Viola Ave, London SE2 0TQ
Tel 02036651144 but email preferred