TANZANIA Population – 45 million Language – Swahili and English for official documents Major religions – Christianity and Islam Well known for – Serengeti, Zanzibar and Kilimanjaro Life expectancy – 49 Major causes of death in children – Malaria, malnutrition, pneumonia and diarrhoea
Forever Angels Baby Home Mwanza Tanzania
Mwanza Tanzania’s second city Population 385,800 50% population under 16 Around 16 different tribes Strong belief in witch craft
Forever Angels Baby Home - Around 50 children ages 0-5 years -Mainly orphaned and abandoned children
Tiny baby house The main baby home Pre-schoolTeenage training programme Outreach
My role... Day to day care of the children
Training: - first aid, HIV, when to go to hospital, care of children with special needs. Giving medications Hospital visits Writing medical policies
Working with children with special needs
What I gained Increased understanding of another culture Insight into how different cultures and religions view children and special needs Lots of experience of caring for children with special needs Improved communication skills – non verbal, picking up on cues from children The opportunity to make contacts for the future Confidence in my abilities Realisation of how much I’ve learnt Improved observational skills
Increased understanding of different conditions: HIV, sickle cell anaemia, malnutrition, hydrocephalus
Feeling like I’d made a real difference
Challenges Coming back to the UK and straight back into placement Most experienced person there, so no one to turn to for reassurance Language Negotiating beliefs totally foreign to me Caring for children who didn’t have access to care that could improve their lives...
...and then walking away.
Cost and planning Flights approximately £400-£800 Accomodation /donation £500 Living expenses £20-£70 per week Medication and vaccinations