Oxfam Ireland Core Country: Tanzania
Country Statistics
| Population: | 39.4 million |
| Year of Independence: | Tanganyika gained independence in 1961. In 1964 it formed a Union with Zanzibar to form Tanzania. |
| Infant mortality rate (per 1,000 births): | 71.7 deaths/1,000 live births |
| Life expectancy at birth: | 50.7 years |
| People living with HIV and AIDS: | 8.8% /1.6 million (2003 est.) |
| Literacy (people aged 15 and over that are literate): | 78.2% (2003 est.) |
| Population below poverty line: | 36% (2002 est.) |
| Currency: | Tanzanian Shilling |
Oxfam in Tanzania:
Tanzania is one of the world's poorest countries and is home to Oxfam Ireland's first country-based office. The vast majority of the population are rurally based, are dependent on agriculture and are poor. Like many countries in the region, Tanzania has been badly hit by the HIV epidemic. Levels of basic social service provision in areas such as education are low.
In September 2002 the Tanzania Programme Co-ordinator opened the Country Office. Since then he has been joined by a small team of local expert staff. As Country Representative Peter Bofin says: "Having a country office allows Oxfam Ireland to get closer to people on the ground. Our presence here allows us to support the work of poor people more effectively and therefore to spend the money we receive from Oxfam Ireland supporters more carefully."
Oxfam Ireland's work in Tanzania focuses on the following:
Livelihoods:
Exploring and strengthening the possibilities for poor farmers to get better prices for their produce such as maize, vegetables and other newer crops such as paprika. Other priorities include helping groups such as Maasai pastoralists to secure land rights.
HIV and AIDS:
Tanzania has around 1.4 million men, women and children living with HIV and AIDS (end of 2005 estimation). HIV infection levels have diminished somewhat from 8.1% to 6.5% nationally from 1995 to 2004. Oxfam Ireland is working with seven specialist partner organisations in the North and Northeast of Tanzania to promote awareness to change behaviour and to provide care and support to people living with HIV and AIDS.
In addition we are also supporting non-HIV specialist organisations to adapt their work in accordance with the realities of HIV and AIDS in their workplace and communities.
Read a booklet of case studies from Oxfam partner organisations in Tanzania
Education:
In 2002 the Tanzanian Government scrapped all education fees, a move influenced by the pioneering research and advocacy of our partner, Maarifa ni Ufunguo. Huge challenges remain enormous both in terms of the quantity of education - classroom sizes in some of the areas are in the region of 100 students - as well as the quality of education.
Our Partners in Tanzania:
One of our longest-standing partners, a home-grown organisation of healthcare professionals and volunteers, Tanga AIDS Working Group has been recognised for its work nationally and internationally, winning a Tanzanian Presidential Certificate of Merit in 2004 and being nominated for the International Red Ribbon Award in 2006.
Tanga AIDS Working Group website 
Making a Difference
€18 or £12 can buy school books.
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