Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) based in Tanzania

John, a fellow YAGM volunteer, and I traveled around Tanzania for two and a half weeks. A main purpose for this journey was to see how a few NGOs function in a Less Developed Country and, as I love spending time in other cultures, I wondered if the people would want a person from the US in their community. The people warmly welcomed us, but many competent people from the community could better perform the jobs I would be interested in doing since they were a part of the culture and the people. I would probably be more effective working among my people in the US. While in Tanzania, we primarily stayed in a northern city of Arusha. We chose Tanzania, and specifically Arusha, because Arusha is the home of a vast amount of NGOs and we could travel to Tanzania without many prior concrete connections and make Lutheran connections while there; the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) has more members than the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). For more information, please look at the websites or I'll happily share more stories!


Maasai Women Development Organization (MWEDO)
MWEDO staff welcomed us and generously gave of their time. The first day, Haika, Scolastica, and Ndinini, the director of MWEDO, shared with us about their organization and their relations with Americans, which you may read sound bites of below. On Saturday, Diana and Solomon accompanied us to Longido to meet a community of Maasai. The Maasai women and children welcomed us with lively song, kind words, and sweet tea. Although we could say little more than “ashe”, meaning “thank you” in Maa, I felt deeply connected to the soulful Maasai women.
Mission: “MWEDO aims to work towards the empowerment of disadvantaged Maasai women economically, politically, culturally and socially through implementing activities in Education, Economic Empowerment, HIV/AIDS, advocacy and promotion of human rights within the Maasai community.”
Websites: http://www.maasaiwomentanzania.org/
http://www.youtube.com/user/maasaiwomeneducation
To support the Maasai craft: learn more at the “Maasai Women Fair Trade Centre” tab, located on the upper bar of their website. Purchase Maasai crafts, including jewelry, leather, and home décor, at www.globalgoodspartners.org.
Sound Bytes
Ndinini Kimesera Sikar, Executive Director of MWEDO
“If you want to do anything in this country, you have to go to the communities.”
“The moment you are in this world you learn so much.” – On how people know so much without formal education
“People are the same everywhere.”
“We need to learn from each other.”
Scolastika Porokuia, a staff member at MWEDO
“The Americans are very good friends of the Maasai.” – Describing Americans as open and that Americans share information that helps others change for the better
“We [Maasai] can’t change our own level of capacities without help from the outside.”
“One day they [Maasai] can stand on their own and do their own things in a better way and level.”
“They [some Maasai] do not know there is a better life until they see a better life.”
The gracious and humble Maasai taught me about how looking for the soul in each person makes life better.

Maasai Visions Organization (Induat E Maa)
Thomas, a staff member, escorted John and me from Arusha to Maasai Visions Organization’s office. From the moment we arrived, Luca, the organization’s director, and Thomas’ shared their passion for their fellow Maasai and their organization’s efforts. Luca and Thomas answered our questions with endless energy.
Mission: “Our mission is to rehabilitate the destroyed Maasai land ecosystems, protect and educate communities on sustainable use of environmental resources, and provide the necessary support for the social, economic, and cultural development of communities within dry land ecosystems.”
Website: http://www.maasaivisions.org/
Sound Bytes
Luca Rikoyan, General Director of Maasai Visions Organization
“We know where we come from and we know the needs of the community.” – Responding to why they started the organization
“The benefit of education to me is the same as the benefit of education to you.”
“We [the Maasai] have been left behind for so many years.” – Referring to the Maasai’s lack of rights
“You are a slave in your own home.” – Referring to the Maasai’s conditions living under national governments
“What I have in my heart I can tell you.”

The School of St Jude
John and I had worked in South African schools during our year of service, so we curiously walked through the front gates of The School of St. Jude. Color inundated our vision as we walked into the main courtyard, surrounded by colorful buses, playground equipment, and buildings. Shawn, a staff member, gave John and me a comprehensive tour and shared with us how thousands of children take entrance tests at the well-known school, which accepts intelligent, economically poor children.
Mission: “The School of St Jude is an independent sponsorship-supported school that provides education for Tanzanian children from the lowest socio-economic backgrounds. The school demonstrates leadership, promotes critical thinking and expects high moral values from its students, staff and the school community.”
Website: http://www.schoolofstjude.co.tz/

Mwangaza Education for Partnership
When John and I reserved a room at Mwangaza Hostel and Conference Center, we thought we were merely signing up for a place to stay while in Arusha. However, upon arrival, we immediately realized that we inherently became part of Mwangaza’s warm, soulful community. The Mwangaza staff embraced us as family. If you ever stay in Arusha, I highly recommend staying at Mwangaza Hostel and Conference Center, which benefits Mwangaza Education for Partnership.
Mission: “Mwangaza Education for Partnership is a grassroots faith-based union of all twenty dioceses of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania and their companion synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. A holistic literacy program responds by developing seminars on topics requested by Tanzanian secondary teachers (English, Math, Science) as well as church leaders (water-borne diseases, women's health, conflict resolution).”
Website: http://mwangazafriends.org/

Venance and Loruvani Lutheran Church
Venance Abel accompanied John and me to Loruvani Lutheran Church in Arusha. He seems to have endless talents; Venance helped build the beautiful church, teaches technology, paints, makes furniture, sings in a choir (which toured in Germany, Belgium, Uganda and Kenya), serves as the treasurer of the church, leads the evangelism department, and is Maasai. He reminded me of Jesus. Venance requests that all people of faith pray for him and his companions, especially those people living with HIV.
To watch a clip of the Loruvani Lutheran Church Choir, check out the website: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Y3wG-_GOU4
Sound Bytes
Venance
“We have many people living with HIV; don’t live far from them, care for [them] and share the word of God.”
“When you meet with someone who wants what you have and you have [it], you can give it to them and you will get blessings from God.”
“Faith without actions is dead.”
“[A person] Must first give something for God to give. Anything you want, you must give first.”
“If you want to be a peace man, you should let Jesus enter your heart and share your Jesus heart with others, then every time you pray with me and I pray with you…[we] stay connected.”
“If you live alone and pray without believing, you don’t get what you want. All people, we love him [Jesus] and we like to sing together, pray together with you.”
“If you pray with others and believe you will get what you ask for from God.”