MMM in Tanzania
Tanzania
|
| Land: |
885,800 sq km includes the islands of Mafia, Pemba, Zanzibar |
| Coastline: |
1,424 km |
| Population: |
41,048,532
(July 2009 estimate) |
| Age Structure: |
0-14 years: 43%
15-64 years: 54.1%
65 years and over: 2.9% |
| Life Expectancy: |
male: 50.56 years
female: 53.51 years
|
Infant Mortality Rate:
69.28 deaths/1,000 live births |
People living with HIV/AIDS:
1.4 million (2007 estimate) |
| Literacy: |
Total population: 69.4%
male: 77.5%
female: 62.2%
(2002 census) |
National Holiday: Union Day
(Tanganyika & Zanzibar, 26 April (1964) |
| From - World Factbook 2009 |
MMMs run a busy rural hospital at Makiungu, staffed by a multi-cultural community of MMM Sisters from USA, Malta, UK, Tanzania Nigeria and Ireland as well as 200 local health workers.
Makiungu, is right in the center of the country, about 25 km from the town of Singida. This is a semi-desert region, but the population has grown significantly in recent decades.
About twenty miles away, in the bustling town of Singida, the stopover for long-distance truckers, MMM has established an 18-person team working at the 'Faraja' Centre. They provide a comprehensive service to persons affected by HIV/AIDS, and an outreach education program to prevent spread of the disease.
We also run a Health Centre at Nangwa, among the Barabaig people. This includes outreach services in Community Based Healthcare in seven surrounding villages in our assigned catchment area on a radius of 40 km.
At Ngaramtoni, about 15 km north of Arusha, we have a Training Centre for the promotion of Indigenous Knowledge. It is called 'Mapambazuko' which is the Swahili word for 'Dawn'. Our hope is that education for healthcare, and basic skills, will help people to create a new dawn of better health for themselves, their families and their community. Outreach services are provided in the rural area north of Arusha.
In Arusha town, Sister Sheila Devane and her team run a Mental Health Program. In Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's capital city, Sister Margaret Hogan teaches psychology at Muhimbili University and works closely with Muhimbili Hospital.
'Teach my people commitment' - that was the plea made to MMM by the legendary President, Julius Nyerere, when he visited our Motherhouse in Ireland many years ago.
It is 100 years now since the first Christians reached Singida. MMM has been there since 1954 and have many stories to tell. Some of them you can read here and find reasons to partner us in this essential service.
Stories from MMM in Tanzania
One Hundred Years of Faith
 Tanzania, 2008: In 1954 the first Medical Missionaries of Mary arrived at Makiungu Hospital in 1954. This first mission of what would later become Singida Diocese had its early foundation back in 1908. The first small dispensary at Makiungu was replaced by the Hospital which has now grown to be very well known, with 150 beds. The rountine in-patient and out-patient services in medicine, surgery, maternity and child care are augmented by specialist services are provided by the Flying Doctors. >>> more.
Little Petro's Journey to Recovery - Sister Maria Borda writes from Makiungu Hospital
 Tanzania, 2007: Coming back from Mass I saw a rather familiar sight: a man wheeling his bike into the hospital. On it his wife was sitting, holding a little bundle of cloth. I guessed it contained her baby inside.
They had set out from their village that morning about 5 a.m. hoping there would be no hyenas or snakes lurking in the dark. The father carried his strong stick in readiness. But now they had at least reached safety and the child was still alive. >>> more.
Danger of Fire in the midst of Drought by Sister Marcellina McCarthy
 Tanzania, 2006: Juma's arm was badly burntWe see a lot of burns in Makiungu during the dry season. With no water locally available in this semi-desert area, a small fire can set a whole house alight very quickly because the house is made of dry rushes. The homestead can turn into an inferno very quickly. This is what happened to Juma. >>> more.
People, Techniques and Capacity - Environmental Award for Village
 Tanzania, 2005: Ekenywa Village is part of the outreach area covered by MMM from Ngaramtoni. Sister Marianna Mushi began working in healthcare among the people there less than two years ago.
In recognition of training courses she has done, she was made a member of the Village Government. Her work in raising awareness on public health issues was specially acknowledged by the Village Chairman when he was presented by the District Commissioner with the Award for Environmental Care in Arumeru District. >>> more.
Five years on... Associate Members of MMM, Eamonn and Moira Brehony, tell us about developments at Ngaramtoni
 Tanzania, 2005: Five years have passed since the inauguration of Mapambazuko Training Centre at Ngaramtoni, near Arusha. Our aim has been to reach community-based organisations, local groups and church groups. Our two-week residential course equips them with all the techniques they need for the running and management of a project from beginning to end. >>> more.
Last modified: Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010
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