NOTE: Originally written by Carol Parker on July 22, 2020.
Here we are, well into July, and the COVID situation is going much better in Tanzania than America.
Although new numbers have not been reported since April’s 529 cases, we are not hearing alarm from our Tanzanian partners or friends. We do know that the government is keeping the current numbers under wraps because the presidential election in October could be affected by an increase in cases.
After a 3 month closure, universities opened fully in mid-June, and were followed on June 29th by primary and secondary schools. All students are to be masked, and most are. Hand washing directives are rigorously followed at the schools. And because the students lost 3 months of instruction, many schools have added several hours to the school day and others have added Saturday classes as an effort to bring students back to expected progress before the November national examinations.
Pamoja Project is assisting in the effort to keep our kids safe from the virus. We were asked by a local public elementary school to provide the funds to build 2 hand washing stations, and a handicapped bathroom stall. These additions will benefit the kids long after COVID has run its course.
Tourism has begun again in earnest as international flights have resumed and the country’s largest economic engine looks forward to returning to pre-virus levels. We are hoping that this does not bring an uptick in cases, as Tanzania does not require a period of isolation from arriving visitors.
Pamoja Project has been one of the few things our families could count on. During the last 6 months our staff has continued to provide all the services we offer and has added additional food supplementation where necessary. We have been paying the rent for a few more families than last year, as there have been some financial challenges no one could have foreseen.
Although, sadly, I will not be going to Tanzania this year because of COVID, I continue to receive monthly financial and other reports from our staff. We are incredibly lucky compared to other non-profits, in that we have reserve funds we can use for programming, should some of our other fundraising be impacted by the virus. And we are blessed that Proctor and Gamble, which supports the safe drinking water program, continues to be a wonderful partner.
I hope to have a report on the kids in the next month or so and will let you know what I learn. Stay safe.
Carol