Friends of the Children of Tanzania

It has been a busy couple of months for FoCT here in Tanzania. We’ve been conducting disability surveys in remote villages around Lake Victoria, and referring clients for medical assistance.

'Capacity development' sounds like a dry, technical term that can mean everything and nothing. But if effectively applied, it can bring very tangible, practical benefits. FoCT is now prioritising the capacity development of its partners in Kagera region in Tanzania to further enhance the impact of their already existing programmes to assist people living with disabilities.

The Government of Tanzania has adopted a national disability policy, which states that “The government in collaboration with stakeholders shall provide a conducive environment for inclusive education that takes care of special needs of disabled children.” Children living with disabilities have a right to learn. It is up to all of us to accommodate children with special needs in education systems. Here in Tanzania, great progress has been made in promoting the right to education for children with special needs, but our collective efforts need to be renewed if the policy is to become a reality for all.

This week, I led a team conducting a survey of disabilities in the villages of Biharamulo and Chato districts, on the western shores of Lake Victoria. The survey was arranged by one of FoCT’s local partners, Izaas, and the survey team was comprised of a Doctor working with the Lutheran Church, a retired Government physiotherapist and an Izaas communication specialist.

By Matthew McIlvenna
If you are unlucky enough to have lost a limb in this part of north western Tanzania, then getting a prosthetic replacement is quite a process. FoCT is now working to make this process a little simpler.

In recent years, there has been a spate of horrific attacks against albinos in Tanzania, perpetrated by a group of criminals seeking to profit from sinister beliefs in witchcraft. Tanzanian society has been appalled by the attacks, and great efforts are being made to protect the albino community here.

Vicky Ntetema, a Tanzanian BBC journalist, risks her own life to investigate the mutilation and murder of innocent Albino men, women and children in Tanzania.
Once, albinos used to seek shelter from the sun. Now they have gone into hiding simply to survive, after a series of killings linked to witchcraft.

Please note you may find this report upsetting.

The courage and dignity that people can display in the face of adversity never ceases to amaze me, even after having worked for the UN for 10 years in some of the world’s most troubled places.

One of our main areas of focus is to support and expand educational opportunities for disabled children, including improvements to learning facilities. To this end, FoCT financed the construction of a recreation centre/school hall with computer laboratory, in a Primary School in NW Tanzania. Building began in June 2008, and was completed in early 2009. This directly benefits 120 disabled children as well as able bodied local children who attend the school.