Coronavirus in Tanzania - Part Two

NOTE: Originally written by Carol Parker on April 29, 2020.

Hello Everyone-

It’s been 6 weeks since the first case of coronavirus was reported in Tanzania.

As of yesterday, the count is 299 cases, with 10 deaths. There is no way for us to know if the virus is wider-spread than the figures state because widespread testing is not being carried out and only those who report to health care facilities and are ill with likely infection are being tested.

Perhaps the absolute best thing the Tanzanian government has done to protect its citizens is to close the borders to visitors and traders. This has limited the potential exposure rate from those who would unknowingly carry the virus into the country, but it comes with a price. Tourism is the biggest industry in the country, and thousands of those employed by tour companies, hotels, and other allied companies are without customers and income. In the long run, it will be impossible to make up for that loss of national financial support.

President John Magufuli is a very devout Catholic. Although he initially closed gatherings of more than 20 people, he decreed that the churches all be opened on Easter, and subsequently called for a 3- day national prayer period to combat coronavirus. The schools, which were originally closed for one month, remain closed.

Our experience of the Tanzanian people as caring and openhearted continues, as every day I receive texts and emails from our friends and partners checking up on how we are doing, and if we are remaining healthy.

Please keep Tanzania in your hopeful thoughts as we move through this time.

Carol

Coronavirus in Tanzania

NOTE: Originally written by Carol Parker on March 18, 2020

Hello Friends-

Two days ago Tanzanian health officials confirmed their first case of the coronavirus in a woman who had recently returned to the country from Belgium. Within 24 hours of the report, Tanzanian health officials acted to limit spread of the disease.

• As of Wednesday, all schools will be closed for 1 month.

• No gatherings of more than 20 people will be allowed.

• All sports competitions have been cancelled.

• Chinese billionaire Jack Ma announced he was donating 20,000 testing kits, 100,000 masks and 1,000 protective suits to each of the continent's 54 countries.

I am so proud of Tanzanian officials for proving that even "developing" countries can rise to meet great challenges that prove difficult for very rich ones.

Pamoja Project is in touch with our partners to offer whatever support might be needed, whether it is additional food support or increased sensitization programs about hand washing.

We know how much you care about these folks, so we’ll keep you updated.

Carol

When Is A Chair Not Just A Chair?

Answer: When it is a means to selling locally made items instead of imported ones.

Two chairs, side by side.

OK, so you probably figured out that the one on the left was made by our students because it is unfinished and needs some work, the one on the right imported from China.

But our welding teacher is showing our students how to be local competitors for widely sought items once they begin their welding careers. It's not just about gates and window frames, but furniture, too.

A Special Shout-out to Alice Riley

Do you see the cocky way Ibrahim is wearing that super-cool welding helmet? It's thanks to Alice Riley of the UK, who participated in a charity run with proceeds from her efforts going to purchase welding helmets for our students.

Safety is an often overlooked aspect of work here in Tanzania, and Alice is helping keep our kids in one piece.

Thanks, Alice!

Carol

If Tanzania Can Do It...........

On June 1st of this year, Tanzania banned plastic bags. Period. The whole country, every shop and vegetable stand. New little businesses weaving bags from sisal and hemp began to appear on street corners and in the markets. A couple of large manufacturers began to mass produce light-weight inexpensive cloth bags that are available everywhere for about a dime.

When Olais and I go on home visits, we always bring a few household staples for each family, and we used to carry them in plastic bags.

This year, we did this:

Buying Generic Cloth Bags

Isack, my driver and finder-of-all-things bought some of the new bags.

Packing the Bags

Zubeda, multi-tasking assistant extraordinaire at WAMATA, filled the bags with an assortment of non-perishable foods.

Ready, Set, Go!

The bags are organized now for the households we are visiting this week.

It’s just not that hard to do.

When the environment department decreed the change, the populace got on board. It’s not a civil liberties issue, it’s a save-the-planet issue. No reason why America can’t do it, too.

Carol