Tanzania
Tanzania is located on the coast of East Africa and shares its borders with a number of other African countries including Kenya, Zambia, and Mozambique. Tanzania is home to Africa's highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, in the north of the country.
Fast Facts
Population: 41,048,532 (July 2009 est.)
Area Comparative: slightly larger than twice the size of California (945,000 sq km)
Literacy Rate: 69.4%
Life Expectancy: 52.01 years
Population below the povery line: 36% (2002 est.)
Gross Domestic Product per capita: $1,300 (2008 est.
Religions: mainland - Christian 30%, Muslim 35%, indigenous beliefs 35%; Zanzibar - more than 99% Muslim
Languages: Kiswahili or Swahili (official), English (official), Arabic (widely spoken in Zanzibar), many local languages
(From the World Factbook. Click here for more information on Tanzania.)
Country Context
- Country features. The United Republic of Tanzania’s outstanding characteristics include its large size (945 000 square kilometres (km)), low population density and vast agro ecological diversity. Although income levels are low, the population of around 40 million people live in peace and enjoy an environment rich in natural resources.
- The macroeconomic framework. With a per capita gross domestic product (GDP) of around USD 1,300 the United Republic of Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world. Since the mid-1990s, the Government implemented a number of reforms that have: (i) institutionalized more free markets for all products; (ii) provided incentives for the private sector, including direct foreign investments; (iii) improved fiscal discipline and granted relative autonomy to the central bank, the Bank of Tanzania; (iv) initiated a process of decentralization; and (v) established a free political system based on multi-party participation.
- Macroeconomic framework. Continued donor assistance and solid macroeconomic policies supported real GDP growth of nearly 7% in 2007. The most recent figures indicate an annual inflation rate of 7%. Public debt, as of 2007, was 19.6% of GDP while investment was 23.2%.
- The agricultural sector. 80% of the labour force works in agriculture, which contributes around 40% of the gross national product. Agricultural products include coffee, sisal, tea, cotton, pyrethrum (insecticide made from chrysanthemums), cashew nuts, tobacco, cloves, corn, wheat, cassava (tapioca), bananas, fruits, vegetables; cattle, sheep, goats. Agricultural products make up 85% of exports.
- Poverty Reduction Strategy: In October 2001, the Government issued its Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), which was prepared in the context of the enhanced Debt Initiative for Highly Indebted Poor Countries. The paper represents a mutually felt need by the Government of Tanzania and its international partners for a comprehensive development agenda, around which issues pertaining to ongoing activities can be regularly discussed and assessed. It is this frame work that both international and national development partners build on while supporting and or undertaking development initiatives in Tanzania.
- Rural poverty. According to the 2007 household budget survey (HBS), rural poverty is estimated at 18.4%, while food poverty (inability to meet nutritional requirements) is 37.6%. 83% of those living below the poverty line in Tanzania are living in rural areas. The Gini coefficient is estimated at 0.35 for the country, and consumption of the wealthiest 20% of the population is 42.2% while the poorest 20 % of the population consumes just 7.2%. The rural population has achieved a significantly lower level of education than the urban population.
- Life expectancy at birth increased from 45 years in 1970 to 52 years in 1990. Recent estimates indicate a decline to 51 years largely because of HIV/AIDS. The HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in Tanzania is 6.5%, the 6th highest rate in the world. 55% of those infected are women. The number of children who have lost one or both parents due to AIDS is 1.1 million. Yet the population continues to grow at an annual rate of about 2%.
- Gender aspects of poverty. Women represent 51% of the population and head 24.5% of the households. The average earnings for men are 1.7 times those for women. The literacy rate for men is 77.5%, while the rate for women is 62.2%. 16.9% of men in Tanzania have had no education, while the rate for women is 29.5%.
- General. The democratic republic of Tanzania has continued to be very supportive of development initiatives within Tanzania with partners from North America. As a Church organization, CRWRC enjoys cordial relationships with government leaders in various levels of community outreach.
CRWRC Tanzania
In 1990, CRWRC entered Tanzania to work hand in hand with Tanzania Churches and local Christian Non-Governmental Organizations to build and strengthen organizational and community capacities to address challenges in planning, monitoring and evaluating development programs. Since then, CRWRC has worked with many different Churches including the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT), the Africa Inland Church in Tanzania (AICT), Baptist Convention of Tanzania, and several Christian NGOs whose vision and mission have not been much different from CRWRC’s. Currently CRWRC is working with Partners in the Lake Zone regions of western Tanzania, Dar-es-Salaam and Coastal regions as well as in Iringa region.
CRWRC Partners in Tanzania
CRWRC's work in Tanzania is done alongside of and in partnership with local Christian churches and community organizations. These partners are the African Inland Church in Tanzania, the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and the Sengerema Informal Sector Association. CRWRC is also in the early stages of partnership with Hope Project for the Disabled and the Presbyterian Church. Here is a description of our work with each of these partners.
African Inland Church in Tanzania (AICT)
CRWRC works with AICT in a variety of ways throughout the country.
a) Through the AICT National office CRWRC is placing volunteers to assist the Church in her institutions including health centres and dispensaries, secondary schools, Bible schools and others as the Church requests and as volunteers are available.
b) Through the AICT Coastal Diocese, CRWRC is working with the leadership of the Diocese to strengthen the capacity of the Diocese to move towards desired results in their strategic plan using the Organizational Capacity Indicator (OCI) too. At the community level, CRWRC and AICT Coastal Diocese are working with several Church based community groups towards increasing income through integrated community projects. To continue to raise awareness on HIV and AIDS, trained Church youth groups compose songs and skits that they take to secondary and high schools, neighbouring congregations and open public places.
c) Through the AICT Geita Diocese, CRWRC reaches out to Pastors and Evangelists through training on the role of the Church in Development reflecting on Jesus’ ministry to a hurting world. At the community level, CRWRC and the Diocese are working with several groups in income generating projects, and in increasing awareness on HIV and AIDS, caring for those affected and infected by HIV/AIDS, care of orphans and vulnerable children and increasing advocacy for these vulnerable groups.
d) Through AICT Mara-Ukerewe Diocese CRWRC is working with the leadership of the Diocese to strengthen the capacity of the Diocese to move towards desired results in their strategic plan using the Organizational Capacity Indicator (OCI) too. At the community level, CRWRC and the Diocese are working with several Church based community groups towards increasing income through integrated community projects, and in increasing awareness on HIV and AIDS, caring for those affected and infected by HIV/AIDS, care of orphans and vulnerable children and increasing advocacy for these vulnerable groups.
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (ELCT)
Through the ELCT Buhumbi & Magu Parishes, CRWRC reaches out to communities in need in the Buhumbi and Magu region. Projects supported by CRWRC include agro-forestry, income generation; community based health care (CBHC) for children under 5 years.
In Ipogolo Parish of Iringa Diocese, CRWRC works with Wende Women Group – now a registered Christian Organization. This group of 30 women, a third of them widows, have a Savings & Credit account where members save and loan to each other at an interest. Interest earned is boosted by CRWRC and Partners to fund various community outreach projects: like, school supplies to orphaned children; small income generating projects and revolving small animals and chicken with guardians of the orphaned children. CRWRC works with Wende to increase their capacity to operate their Savings & Credit and in financing some of the community outreach projects. This partnership is through Partners Worldwide (PWW).
Sengerema Informal Sector Association (SISA) - SISA is an association of small business operators and owners who come together to join the work of community development, and is a spin-off from CRWRC’s community Development work with the Evangelical Lutheran Church. SISA is a registered non-Governmental Organization and works mainly in Sengerema District of Mwanza region. All member groups are involved in various integrated projects that increase their income, their agriculture yields or technical knowledge. SISA has a link with Partners Worldwide (PWW) that has in the past supported their business centre and business training.
Hope Project for the Disabled (HOPD): Hope Project for the Disabled (HOPD) reaches out to mostly neglected people with physical disabilities to help build their self acceptance, self worth, and self confidence. Those who willingly attend these training sessions are encouraged to form into groups and HOPD and CRWRC train them to build their capacity towards healthy Community Based Organizations (CBOs). Members of these CBOs are engaged in small income generating activities, adult literacy and social support clubs like drama and singing/dancing groups. The skits and songs are mostly messages that tell the painful stories of being rejected and neglected by their families and the society at large and how that could be corrected. HOPD and CRWRC also facilitate HIV/AIDS awareness training to these community based organizations. This partner has a link with Partners Worldwide (PWW) that help raise funds for specific needs like wheel chairs and tri-cycles.
Presbyterian Church - CRWRC Tanzania is building relationships with the leadership of the Presbyterian Church through Organizational development in initiatives that get the Church leadership training in planning, and how they can successfully address the needs of their Christians and the communities around them. Community level intitiatives is in training
Margaret Njuguna
Margaret hails from Nairobi, Kenya and has worked for CRWRC since the end of 1983 when she started as a Finance and Administration Manager. After 8 years of working in Kenya, Margaret went for further studies to the U.S. She has a Sciences Degree from Calvin College and a Masters of Business Administration from Century University. Since early 1995, she has worked with CRWRC in Tanzania in different capacities, the current being the country director since June 1998. Margaret is an adoptive mother to 12 year old Marvin Njuguna.
EMAIL: mnjuguna@crwrc.org
CRWRC-Tanzania
Old Bagamoyo Road
Mikocheni B, Plot # 62,
P. O. Box 7615
Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania