Contact:
Ms Deepa Kapur
P.O. Box 22433
DAR ES SALAAM
TANZANIA
E-mail:
We are pleased to introduce the TOS in Tanzania. Service opportunities are numberless in Africa and we would love to give you the chance to support our activities. As everyone knows, Africa is a continent of great beauty and diversity yet one that desperately requires wise help. Here is some basic information about our land that will assist you to understand its needs.
The United Republic of Tanzania was formed in 1964 out of the union of two sovereign states namely Tanganyika and the islands of Zanzibar. It is the biggest land area among the East African countries (i.e. Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania) and has the largest concentration of wild animals on the continent. It is home to Africa’s highest mountain, snow-capped Kilimanjaro, and to world famous national parks such as Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
Politically speaking, it is one of the more stable African democratic states and it has vast natural resources. For better or for worse we are trying to build a dynamic, capitalist economy in order to feed, clothe and house our population of over 40 million but as you can imagine this is fraught with danger. The current President of our Pan-African Theosophical Federation, Mr Tom Davis, speaks untiringly about the need for prudence if we wish to avoid the traps of excessive liberalism, industrialisation, exploitation of human and natural resources, pollution, etc.
At the Theosophical Society Branch in Dar Es Salaam (the commercial capital and principal port of Tanzania), we feel that the theosophical teachings bring a valuable long term perspective to the development of our country. The TOS provides an opportunity to put those teachings into action in wise ways. Our small TOS group is very modest in its undertakings but we are full of energy and enthusiasm! Our principal achievement during this special centennial year has been to collect what is a large sum of money for us: 1.2 million shillings (approx. US$1000).
Within the scope of these limited funds, we have managed to carry out the following activities:
1. DONATION TO A SCHOOL FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED
At the Blind School in Dar Es Salaam, we were warmly received by the school students who played the drums and sang songs for us. It truly touched our hearts as we realised that they have lost their sight...but they have not lost their spirit! One could hardly tell that these were visually impaired children. We made speeches, interacted with the students and had a lot of fun. One of the teachers himself is blind and shoulders his responsibilities beautifully. We donated a water pump, an iron, torches, fifty kilos of rice and some biscuits.
2. DONATION TO OCEAN ROAD CANCER HOSPITAL
Although patients with advanced cancer have slim chances of survival, what is needed is to nourish their bodies so that they can bear the pain with greater strength. Whatever tim they may have to live, one must try to assure them of a life cared for.
Our TOS members donated ‘uji’ which is a kind of African porridge. It is made of soya beans and other nutrients ground together to form a powder that can be dissolved in either milk or water depending upon the economic means of the patient.
3. DONATION TO THE MTONI PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED SCHOOL
It was a moment of euphoria for the physically challenged students at Mtoni School when our TOS members unwrapped a huge gift and voilà: there was a TELEVISION SET! The children have little access to any form of entertainment and receiving this TV was a dream for them.
4. DONATION TO THE SALVATION ARMY
Food and stationery were donated at the Salvation Army as per their requirement.
5. DONATION OF BLANKETS
With more and more people living below the poverty line as inflation soars in Africa, one finds many homeless people on the streets, with children in tow. In a bid to bring some comfort to them, our TOS members donated blankets to those on the streets and even presented blankets to the many ‘askaris’ ( a Swahili term for watchmen) who guard houses and buildings.
6. DONATION OF SPORTS GEAR
The young girls of Kurasini Orphanage may be lacking in outer sports wear but their inner fabric is stitched with great spirit and supreme confidence! At a throwball match between the girls' team of the Indian School and the local Kurasini Orphanage girls’ team, this show of spirit melted everyone's hearts and out came a spontaneous donation of US $ 200/= for sports T-shirts, shorts, sports shoes and socks for 14 girls. Viva la Kurasini girls!
Let us conclude this summary of our activities by a quote from the famous poet, Robert Frost:
The woods are lovely dark and deep
But we have promises to keep
And miles to go before we sleep
And miles to go before we sleep!