Tanzania Program: Notes From the Field

Greetings from the MSIH Tanzania interns!

After a long trip from Israel to Dar es Salaam via Cairo, Khartoum, and Nairobi, we were greeted by Faridah Mgunda, of FLEMAFA, COHI's partner organization in Kisarawe, and Mariam Gorotto. We are here to conduct research on the prevalence and causes of teenage pregnancy in Dar es Salaam and the surrounding rural areas of Tanzania. Our goal is to collect data that will help reorganize old programs and mold new programs aimed at assisting teenage mothers and preventing teenage pregnancy.

Participants in a COHI intern-led focus group

When we are not enjoying the company and exquisite meals of our lovely hosts, we have been reading through official government surveys, researching for the background of our report. A few days into our stay, we visited UMATI youth center at Temeke and conducted interviews and focus groups (boys and girls). A week or so later we visited an Anglican church in the area where we conducted more interviews and focus groups.

Meanwhile, both Faridah and Mrs. Gorotto were working tirelessly on getting us permission to visit and work in the rural area of Kisarawe district. Finally, last Thursday and Friday we were able to do so, and packed countless interviews and focus groups into one very full day. In between our research, data entry, and other work, we have been able to attend a wedding, visit the city center a number of times, and (our personal favorite) spend an afternoon at a paradise-like beach. The report writing has now begun in earnest, and with a little less than a week remaining, these next few days will be very hectic, but surely productive. Our report will follow shortly, so we have a lot to do.

Best to all,

Amber, Anna, Reena, and Katy
COHI Field Interns
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

The intern's research will be finished just in time for the Kisarawe-Kilimanjaro Challenge: Summit for Women's and Children Health, a unique event bringing together local and international health advocates and experts for a health conference and symbolic hike up Kilimanjaro to support COHI-FLEMAFA programming in Kisarawe. For more information, click here.

Circle of Health International is a 501c3 nonprofit organization supporting the empowerment of conflict- and disaster-affected women through the provision of women's health initiatives. Learn more and get involved at www.cohintl.org.