Welcome to Simanjiro, Tanzania

Population

The population of Tanzania is 42,483,923 (2008)

Climate

• Varies from tropical to arid to temperate.

• Coolest months occur between northern hemisphere’s summer.

• 2 rainy seasons.

Climate• Masika (long rains) fall mid

March to the end of May.• Mvuli (short rains) fall

intermittently through November and December.

Capital:

• Dar es Salaam- commercial capital.

• Dodema- Legislative capital.

Government:• United Republic of Tanzania.• Union of two soverign states.• Consists of Union government

and the Zanzibar Revolutionary Government.

Tourist Spots:

• Mount Kilamanjiro- Highest in Africa.

Ngorongoro

Cultural Aspects:• Sparse tribal diversity.• Maasai- most well known tribes• Inhabit the Northern Territories• Pastoralists and nomandic.

Maasai Tribal Life:• Caring for and herding their cattle.• Youngest men herd sheep and

goats• Young male warriors or morans job

is to protect herd.

Simanjiro:• Situated in the great Simanjiro

plains near Tarangire National Park.

• Near Emboret village (100km south of Arusha).

• Swahili and Maasai people live

Simanjiro Missions and Health Centre

• Covers area 4,900 square kms• Population- approx. 45,000.• Health centre: Catholic

Archdiocease of Arusha• Since 2004- run by Divine Word

Missionaries.

Reasons for choosing Service learning site:

• Intrigued by International Nursing lecture.

• Eager to volunteer.• Raise money for

underprivileged areas.• Personal ambition.

Reasons:

• Talked with Damian, Brian and Niamh.

• Remote area• Maasai tribes- cultural experience.• Flying medical service.

Planning stage:• Allocated together• Contacted Fr.Pinto through e-mail• Confirmation• Helpful in planning process- flights,

holiday trips.

The Planning Process

• Dates• Flights • Injections• Contact with the

Missionaries• Fundraising

Fundraising

• Bag Packing, Coffee Morning, Raffle...

• Don’t think too big, KEEP IT SIMPLE!

• Workload Minimum with Maximum Earnings

• Gather as much family and friends as possibleBagpacking in

Dunnes Stores!!

Difficulties

• Everything came at once• Planning• Insurance for Bag packing• Fundraising- Money

Advise

• Meet up with the Medical Students

• Travel

• Packing your Bag Dried foods Cheap Clothes Balloons/ Bubbles Nursery Rhymes

First Impressions• Dirt Tracks for Roads• Children• Poor Housing• Welcoming People • Health Centre

Outline of the Healthcare System

• Spiritan Missionaries (1972) now known as “Divine World Missionaries ”

• Healthcare provided for 45,000 people

• Private Centre, people pay their own bills

• No government input

Clinical Speciality• Tuberculosis – 15th on “at risk” list

(USAID, 2010)• 5 main illnesses• Malaria, Cholera, Meningitis, T.B, H.I.V

• Mother and Baby Clinics• Basic Nursing Care- Family

Difference in Health Care System Between Ireland and

Tanzania Lack of Resources Pace of Care Routine Lack of Knowledge and

Training

Language Differences• Both Maasai and Kiswalhili

spoken (C.I.A, 2006)

• Language Barrier• Importance of Non-verbal

communication

Cultural Difference• Traditional Healing Methods• Westernised Medicine only as a

last resort (predominantly in the Maasai tribe)

Main areas of Learning• Culture:Living in their communityDifferences in daily livingIntegrating into their culture

Interesting, Shocking and Exciting Aspects of our trip.

• Interesting: Happiness of the people

• Shocking: Poverty, Undernourished and Unhealthy People

• Flying Medical Service

Suggestions and Recommendations• Learn the basic words of Kiswalhili

Hello- Jambo, goodbye- kwahari, Thank you- Asante Sana, Water- Magii,

• Research the culture

• Home Comforts

A video says a thousand words....

Reference List• World Health Organisation (W.H.O) (2000) General

Guidelines for Methodologies on Research and Evaluation of Traditional Medicine. Geneva

• www.tanzania.go.tzl• C.I.A. (2006) African Media Development Initiative:

Tanzania Context,. Country Overview• www.google.com/publicdata• www.worldathlas.com

• Conco, W. Z., (1972) Theory and practice of traditional

medicine among Africans in South Africa and problems

of communication: a study in behavioural medicine.

Johannesburg

Reference List (Cont’d) • www.tanzaniatouristboard.com

• www.lonely planet.com

• S.N.O account: joan.kavanagh@nuigalway.ie