Where We Work | Africa | Tanzania

Tanzania

As in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, the majority—nearly 60 percent—of Tanzania’s population lives on less than $2 a day. Tanzania is faced with environmental hazards like seasonal drought and such challenges as external debt and increasing rates of HIV/AIDS among its population. While Tanzania successfully completed requirements for the forgiveness of a portion of its external debt in 2001 and again in 2006, for years it has spent more money on its debt payments than it invested in its healthcare and education infrastructures.

Agriculture comprises 85 percent of Tanzania’s exports and almost half of its GDP. It also employs 80 percent of the workforce. Due to low soil fertility, unreliable rains, the use of outdated technologies and a dependence on low-yield crops, many living in rural areas of Tanzania struggle to produce enough food. Tanzania has also been adversely affected by a worldwide decline in the price of coffee, a major export crop.

Throughout Tanzania, social and political infrastructure, economy, and quality of life have all suffered as the number of HIV-infected persons has increased. The population of Tanzanians living with HIV/AIDS is disproportionately female—a fact related to the many forms of gender barriers that persist in the country. Men control a vast majority of Tanzania’s economic activity and practices such as wife inheritance and female genital mutilation are common.

OUR HISTORY IN Tanzania

LWR began its work in Tanzania in 1961 distributing food to a population suffering from a food crisis resulting from a brutal combination of drought and floods. LWR continues to work in Tanzania with an emphasis on long-term food security, HIV/AIDS prevention and education, and capacity strengthening for community groups who are managing their own development programs.

LWR WORKS WITH LOCAL PARTNERS

To create sustainable rural livelihoods by:

• Helping women and girls improve their livelihoods by increasing their economic independence and decision-making power through training in vocational skills and business management;
• Increasing farmer income through promotion of market-appropriate cash crops;
• Improving farmers’ access to water for agricultural use, including horticulture and dairy farming.

To build peace and justice by:

• Building the capacity of village-based community multi-sectoral AIDS committees (CMACs) with training in financial management and skills to compete effectively for government funding for HIV/AIDS programs.

ACCOMPANIMENT: HOW WE WORK
Lutheran World Relief believes working with local partners is the key to lasting changes that end poverty and bring justice. We work together with trust, respect and accountability in order to most effectively serve those for whom we work.

Lutheran World Relief is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), individuals and parish groups in international relief, development, advocacy and social responsibility.