Jambo: I have utilized this blog assignment as the opportunity to learn more about the country I was privileged to visit. I will be better prepared to revisit as a result of the research and readings completed. Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in Africa yet its' people allow one to realize that wealth isn't always monetary. I learned a great deal from the people I met in this country. I grew personally in unimaginable ways. Several years after my journey to Tanzania I still think of the limited water available as I leave the water run while brushing my teeth, washing my car, or seeing someone water their lawn.
The website linked offers general information about the education, culture, and habitation. The education structure has been embraced by the government with many new schools being built. The early education is provided and mandatory, then only if you pass the 6th grade exam are you allowed to go on to Form 1 which is equivalent to 7th grade. The children are taught English and Kiswahili. As we visited the schools and attempted to communicate the students were eager to practice speaking English. When a few of the girls wanted to touch my light colored hair it struck me just how foreign we must seem to these children.
The culture and traditions of Tanzania required that we wear kongas which was a toga type of wrap that we wore as a skirt. We were allowed to wear long pants while working in the dispensary and on safari. There was a traditional hand shake and everybody wanted to shake our hands and I do mean everybody. I will classify one of the cultural traditions very unofficially as what we called "Tanzanian time". As a self proclaimed type 1 personality I will not further elaborate on how difficult it was to get acclimated to the new "time zone".
Asante-Thanks for letting me share my travel stories with you.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
HIV/AIDS in Tanzania
HIV/AIDS The prevalence of HIV in Tanzania is a snapshot of what is seen throughout Africa. Millions of people are infected with thousands of new cases reported each year. I stress the word "reported" as I wonder how many cases are never reported. Caring for people with HIV/AIDS is a burden on the country and the healthcare system. This burden is shared by the family members as they care for their loved ones in the home.
The website linked to visit is full of information on the HIV epidemic and the impact on Tanzania. Despite the resources that are available there is still the battle of the stigma that surrounds this disease. This stigma can be strong enough to prevent seeking the testing and treatment needed. People will not want to be seen entering the clinics or attend education classes even when the educators go to the villages. I spoke with an AIDS educator in Arusha who felt the HIV incidence was on the rise and felt that one of the reasons was the improved transportation infrastructure into the remote and rural areas of the country. She traveled to the remote villages and would have poor reception to her classes.
The family caregivers must experience great frustration as they attempt to provide care with such limited resources for the basics of food, water, and toileting. The water has to be carried in a bucket long distances and be used for drinking, cooking, bathing, and washing. Universal precautions such as gloves are not readily available. Easy access to the health clinics is another difficulty encountered. Public transportation costs money and is primarily limited to overcrowded buses. The distance to travel is long and often too difficult for the ill person to endure. Home care programs are available however due to the limited resources and poor accessibility this is an ineffective assistance. This again would lead to the overwhelming need for prevention through education.
The website linked to visit is full of information on the HIV epidemic and the impact on Tanzania. Despite the resources that are available there is still the battle of the stigma that surrounds this disease. This stigma can be strong enough to prevent seeking the testing and treatment needed. People will not want to be seen entering the clinics or attend education classes even when the educators go to the villages. I spoke with an AIDS educator in Arusha who felt the HIV incidence was on the rise and felt that one of the reasons was the improved transportation infrastructure into the remote and rural areas of the country. She traveled to the remote villages and would have poor reception to her classes.
The family caregivers must experience great frustration as they attempt to provide care with such limited resources for the basics of food, water, and toileting. The water has to be carried in a bucket long distances and be used for drinking, cooking, bathing, and washing. Universal precautions such as gloves are not readily available. Easy access to the health clinics is another difficulty encountered. Public transportation costs money and is primarily limited to overcrowded buses. The distance to travel is long and often too difficult for the ill person to endure. Home care programs are available however due to the limited resources and poor accessibility this is an ineffective assistance. This again would lead to the overwhelming need for prevention through education.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Rite of Passage-Women
Traditions and ritual are important but to the extreme of mutilation? Female genital mutilation (FGM) is considered a rite of passage for young girls into becoming a woman and ready for early marriage. This practice is is widespread in Africa and other countries such as Pakistan, Phillippines, and Indonesia. It is estimated 130 million girls and women have undergone this mutilation. That is 2 million sirls every year and 6,000 girls are at risk every day.
This link describes what happens by a woman who has experienced this mutilation and is speaking out against it. The description is not easy to read. It is not easy to believe that in the 21st century this could have happened to 6,000 young girls today.
This mutilation is viewed by many as a ritual that leads to social acceptability. As the author stated the girls in her age group essentially bullied her into having the ritual completed. Despite the long term complications of chronic infections, severe pain with urination and childbirth, the ritual contues to be practiced.
This link describes what happens by a woman who has experienced this mutilation and is speaking out against it. The description is not easy to read. It is not easy to believe that in the 21st century this could have happened to 6,000 young girls today.
This mutilation is viewed by many as a ritual that leads to social acceptability. As the author stated the girls in her age group essentially bullied her into having the ritual completed. Despite the long term complications of chronic infections, severe pain with urination and childbirth, the ritual contues to be practiced.
New Life
My blogs have been primarily about the Maasai. This group of people greatly impress me as they live a hard and difficult life and survive despite the challenges. This link is to the Selian Lutheran Hospital which was built to serve the Maasai people in the northern Tanzanian area.
One of the speciality services offered provides surgical repair for women who would otherwise face the possibility of dying as an outcast. Vesico vaginal fistula repair allows the women a new lease on life. This is described as a silent epidemic due to the "inappropriateness" to discuss such a personal concern.
The belief of the Maasai is that when a woman becomes pregnant she should not gain weight so that the baby is small at birth which would allow for easier delivery. Unfortunately the growing fetus does not know this and grows while the mother's health actually gets put at jeopardy when she needs to be her healthiest. This practice of limiting the mother's diet makes for a more difficult childbirth many times causing trauma to the birth canal and surrounding tissues. A vesico vaginal fistula develops resulting in constant leakage of urine and/or stool. This makes the woman "unclean" which can result in her becoming an outcast and possibly being divorced by her husband. These women are forced to try to survive any way possible with many dying.
The Selian Hospital does approximately 100 repairs annually free of charge to the women. These women stay at the hospital until fully healed and then are given a bus ticket home. The women are also given a new kanga (cloth wrap worn by the women) as a symbol of their new life.
One of the speciality services offered provides surgical repair for women who would otherwise face the possibility of dying as an outcast. Vesico vaginal fistula repair allows the women a new lease on life. This is described as a silent epidemic due to the "inappropriateness" to discuss such a personal concern.
The belief of the Maasai is that when a woman becomes pregnant she should not gain weight so that the baby is small at birth which would allow for easier delivery. Unfortunately the growing fetus does not know this and grows while the mother's health actually gets put at jeopardy when she needs to be her healthiest. This practice of limiting the mother's diet makes for a more difficult childbirth many times causing trauma to the birth canal and surrounding tissues. A vesico vaginal fistula develops resulting in constant leakage of urine and/or stool. This makes the woman "unclean" which can result in her becoming an outcast and possibly being divorced by her husband. These women are forced to try to survive any way possible with many dying.
The Selian Hospital does approximately 100 repairs annually free of charge to the women. These women stay at the hospital until fully healed and then are given a bus ticket home. The women are also given a new kanga (cloth wrap worn by the women) as a symbol of their new life.
Maasai-Rich in Traditions
The Maasai tribe is primarily found in Kenya and Tanzania. This tribe numbers approximately one million. This count is not accurate however due to some do not want to be counted and some want to be counted numerous times. This group of people is very distinct in their traditional dress. The red and blue wraps can be seen from miles away. This link explains several rituals and traditions followed by the Maasai.
As I have stated before, I have had the opportunity to visit the homes and people while in Tanzania. The village was set up for different families to stay for several months at a time. This allowed for the families to all take advantage of the tourist traveling through the area.We paid an entry fee and was greeted by a traditional dance. The women's bead work was all on display for purchase. After the required haggling over the prices the money was handed to the man which I can only assume was the husband.
This website describes the traditional rite of passage the boys must take to become an elder. The groups are according to age sets. If I understand correctly this would mean the children are not ever alone but grow up in a group. The camaraderie of the tribe would have to be strong with that kind of bond developing from an early age on. I would hope these traditions would not be lost as the group struggles to survive as the government enforces new regulations and territory on the tribes.
As I have stated before, I have had the opportunity to visit the homes and people while in Tanzania. The village was set up for different families to stay for several months at a time. This allowed for the families to all take advantage of the tourist traveling through the area.We paid an entry fee and was greeted by a traditional dance. The women's bead work was all on display for purchase. After the required haggling over the prices the money was handed to the man which I can only assume was the husband.
This website describes the traditional rite of passage the boys must take to become an elder. The groups are according to age sets. If I understand correctly this would mean the children are not ever alone but grow up in a group. The camaraderie of the tribe would have to be strong with that kind of bond developing from an early age on. I would hope these traditions would not be lost as the group struggles to survive as the government enforces new regulations and territory on the tribes.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
African imports
It is difficult to comprehend how the economy of Africa can survive with such harsh terrain. So much of what is read and viewed gives the impression that could almost confirm what the 18th century philospher G. W. F. Hegel stated so many years ago. Sensationalism sells. To learn more of the positive side of Africa I decided to go shopping. African imports is an interesting site to learn of what products are available to purchase online. Certainly Africa is in the 21st century business world. This site offers the shopper a delightful tour for everything from wedding attire, soaps, fabrics, and jewlery. I must say I thoroughly enjoyed my window shopping experience and hope you will too.
Life of a Maasai Woman
The life of a woman in the Maasai tribe is certainly not an easy on. The Maasai are nomads, moving to follow the grasslands and water. The author of this website is a young man who went to school when getting an education was not considered necessary. Simon writes of the day to day responsibilities of the Maasai women.
The woman's day starts early and ends late. The diet is primarily milk and that is only after the husband and children have had their portion. The men own the livestock and keep the money from the sale of the animals. The women may sell the milk of the cattle and they get to keep the money from the selling of the milk. Gathering the firewood for cooking and warmth requires walking about 6 kilometers and then carrying up to100# home. The water requires another 2 kilometer walk to carry that home.
The women are responsible for building the homes, doing the repairs, milking the cattle, preparing the meals, washing the clothes, and the list goes on. The work load would certainly welcome the practice of polygamy so the other wives could share in the work to be done.
This article makes frequent references to the need for the women to make sure the husbands do not get upset to avoid getting beaten. The is the threat of encountering dangerous animals as they walk to find firewood and water. Yet in the midst of all this hardship you will find some of the most beautiful beadwork being made.
The woman's day starts early and ends late. The diet is primarily milk and that is only after the husband and children have had their portion. The men own the livestock and keep the money from the sale of the animals. The women may sell the milk of the cattle and they get to keep the money from the selling of the milk. Gathering the firewood for cooking and warmth requires walking about 6 kilometers and then carrying up to100# home. The water requires another 2 kilometer walk to carry that home.
The women are responsible for building the homes, doing the repairs, milking the cattle, preparing the meals, washing the clothes, and the list goes on. The work load would certainly welcome the practice of polygamy so the other wives could share in the work to be done.
This article makes frequent references to the need for the women to make sure the husbands do not get upset to avoid getting beaten. The is the threat of encountering dangerous animals as they walk to find firewood and water. Yet in the midst of all this hardship you will find some of the most beautiful beadwork being made.
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