We are off to Moshi tomorrow morning, so today, after visiting the Zanzibar Museum and treading down to the hot and crazy Zanzibar outdoor market, where Paula purchased a heavy sack of Kangas, we spent some time in the Internet Cafe doing some homework so we don’t look like idiots when we arrive for our volunteering. We will anyway for sure, as will most of the others arriving I am sure. The 1st week or so is bound to be a serious uphill learning curve. Anyhow, as part of my homework, I thought I would put some the information in here. Perhaps this is a funner way for me to do it.
We have two placements. We work at our placements from 0730 (or 1:30 in Swahili time) until 12:30 (6:30 Swahili time) each day.
On Mondays and Wednesdays we will be working at Kikundi Cha Chawamaki. The best description about them can be found in a blog post by Ivan Martin, one of the former volunteers at the placement. It is worth reading. Here is some more background on them:
Kikundi Cha Chawamaki was established in 2006 and has been operating under the umbrella of Kiwodea Women’s Group. This group consists of seventeen (17) members; fifteen women and 2 men who have been brave enough to go public with their affliction with HIV. Chawamaki has formalized their organizational structure with a chairperson, a finance committee, a secretary, and a treasurer. They hold regular meetings where minutes are kept and recorded.
Chawamaki’s common plight of being marginalized and stigmatized inspired them to develop economic enterprises to support their endeavours to eventually provide outreach and shining examples to the many other HIV afflicted persons in their district. Also, the group is trying to set aside resources in a benevolent fund for the continuing support for children of members left behind as orphans.
Needs of Kikundi Cha Chawamaki:
The primary need was investment capital to:
Create an agricultural project to produce sufficient food to feed themselves and members of the extended family which numbered approximately 102 adults and children inclusive;
Create profitable enterprises to generate income to care for inactive members of the organization as well as to provide for children left behind as orphans;
Support their desire to engage in an outreach programme which would target other HIV/AIDS individuals in the community who are reluctant to publicly disclose their condition; and
Receive health and nutrition education.
On Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays we will be working at the Moshi Disabled Network. The Moshi Disabled Network (MDN-Pride) is a Kilimanjaro region NGO, owned and operated by local workers with disabilities and their advocates. The group runs a rehabilitation aids and small crafts workshop located within the municipal region of Moshi.
The primary aim of “MDN-Pride” is for the workers with disabilities and their families to learn to help themselves become more independent with activities of daily living. As well, the group educates family members and community members about the challenges faced by those living with physical challenges, to alleviate the stigma associated with having disabilities. The Hesperian Foundation lay health manuals serve as a guide for its members while they learn how to help themselves and their community (1).
The group meets in a temporary place on the property of an engineering shop. The group is currently trying to find a more permanent location, as the space has been donated to the group for just a year.
Background: Proposed and implemented in 2004-2005 by Dayna Lorraine Wolfe,M.D., an American specialist in Cross Cultural Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr Wolfe was selected to be a University of Minnesota Center for Human Rights Fellow for 2004. The fellowship project proposal goal was to facilitate community integration and development via improved mobility for women with disabilities.
There is a stigma in Tanzanian culture about people with disabilities, and many families hide children who may be physically disabled. The group provides outreach and services to about 20 disabled people in their homes in Rau Village. In light of these cultural attitudes, as well as the fact that there are no other organizations providing this type of support, it is likely to infer that there are more people in the Moshi area in need of these services.
The group has no professional teaching support, so teaching of skills will be provided by the disabled group members. However, there are 2 non-disabled volunteers who work 5 mornings a week, and one disabled member who works with them.
Business philosophy: Sustainable self-help and community integration for people with disabilities. This business welcomes assistance and friendship from any volunteer wishing to align with the workers in achieving its mission, but it is not dependent upon their presence for successful operations. The hope is that by empowering people with physical challenges, they will improve their social-economic condition as well as providing an example to other disabled people in the area. Meetings are held with the elders of the village, and the group holds talks in schools and health centers.
The members of the group make products such as rain sticks, paintings, arm cycles, clothes, embroidery, handbags, woodwork, mats, and shoes. The proceeds of the sales contribute to the purchase of sugar, rice and clothing to bring to the villages when the group does home visits. The group welcomes volunteers who can look for new markets for them to sell these products, and think of new products that can be made with local materials such as banana skins, beans and wood.
Homework done! Haha. Last night in Zanzibar. Time for a pina colada or two. Starting tomorrow it is “back to work” so-to-speak. Paula and I will be in seperate rooms!
Ciao for now.
Chris
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