The Tanzania GSE Team
Posted by Bill Bourlet
The presentation Sept 5 Th, 2008 concerned a Group Study Exchange team that visited Tanzania. The Rotary Foundation sponsored the team.
Team Leader, Nancy Nikolai, gave the introduction. Tanzania is in East Africa and is part of Rotary District 9200 which comprises 5 countries. The visit lasted 4 weeks. The team stayed with local Rotarians which greatly reduced costs. Among many insights her experience revealed, "Strangers are friends that we haven't met yet."
The second presenter, Erin Robinson, discussed Banking and Micro finance in Tanzania as represented by SACCOS (Savings and Loans Cooperatives). Erin mentioned that in Canada, banking rates at the same level of excitement as soap on a national survey. She explained that in Tanzania there is no mortgage or credit reporting system. Business is based on trust. Banking is taken to the people through Community Mobilization, a mobile "bank" that services the villages. Erin also described visiting the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in Arusha.
The third presenter, Shannon Thompson, talked about the Mosquito Net Distribution Program which is available to pregnant women and children under 5. Malaria is the leading cause of death in Tanzania. She also described visiting two hospitals, one providing prosthetic limbs and the second treating cancer. Conditions are poor, for example there are 2 to 3 children per bed in the cancer hospital.
Jennifer Wesman the teacher was not able to come for our Friday meeting so her talk was presented by her teammate Deneka Michaud She showed us her slides and discussed illiteracy in Tanzania. Although the illiteracy rate is declining, 31% of the population is still illiterate. She described the appalling conditions in schools, where students use bottle caps to count, and there are no pens or paper. She referred to "RISE" as one non-governmental agency that is attempting to improve education through the use of radio instruction. A school for the deaf, blind and mentally challenged was visited. This school is supported by Rotary. She reminded us of the "power of a smile". We all have it to give.
The fifth team member, Deneka Michaud, a Television presenter from Delta cablevision. She showed us a 7 min. trailer of her upcoming documentary about the Tanzania visit. We were reminded of the need in these developing countries and the powerful effect that Rotary can have through its charitable activities.
What a wonderful show!