Homelessness isn’t just a problem in Vancouver, Canada- it’s a problem in Tanzania among children. While a student at Duke University there was an initiative to help homeless children in Tanzania. Then later, as a student at UBC heard about more efforts to work with homeless youth through a First Nations friend in a cross cultural exchange.

Sometimes neo-liberal policies open up a country to private foreign companies making the country more socially vulnerable. These foreign companies are definitely wanted by what they bring- maybe it’s a special skill, or more efficient technology for resource extraction- but in the past have taken actions that has led to health problems. As a result, we need to deal with health issues that arise. The spread of disease is exacerbated by poverty. The inability to pay for medicine can mean ineffective treatment, the inability to care for others, and for the disease to progress.

Tanzania is a country made up of over one hundred tribal or ethnic groups. Tanzania also has a high proportion of Albinos, or people born with no skin pigmentation. Superstitious beliefs in Tanzania have led to some Albinos being persecuted. When we visited Irente in 2007, there were some Albino children in the orphanage. Perhaps given up because of stigma, or for other reasons the staff may know.

Malaria is another big social problem in Tanzania. Lack of strategic efforts, knowledge and political will have made malaria an ongoing issue. Bed nets, knowledge that malaria infected mosquitos bite after 11pm, and residual spraying programs are still needed. Prompt diagnosis and effective treatment is also needed, otherwise death can result. Fever, muscle pain and aches are the most common symptoms. Children can be born with malaria, and also can be orphaned due to malaria which can also complicate a mothers birth, and negatively effect her and her babies health. 95% of Tanzania’s 37.4 million population are at risk for malaria.

Irente offers a place for children while they cannot be cared for by a guardian(s).

One of the more beautiful parts of the Orphanage buildings.