Newsletter for MS-Tanzania

For MS partners and development workers in Tanzania.

May 2004

Editor: Information worker Michael Bech
Editor-in-chief: Director Finn Petersen

Coming to a theatre near you

It’s been quiet at the country office the past week. Some people have been on leave and some are in Denmark . And at the same time, it seems like the rest of Tanzania is also having a break.

Most of the MS-action has been taking place in Denmark . The past two weeks MS-people have been involved in crucial meetings in Denmark about the future of MS. New people have been elected for the MS-board and a new vision and mission for MS was debated. There have been harsh words on the global focus on fighting terror put on the agenda instead of continuing the more sustainable development aid for the poorer countries. And critics were stating that the rich countries are not serious enough about bringing down pollution affecting the developing countries to a great extent. More about that will follow, when the director is returning from the meetings in Denmark .

The MS-award 2004 was also presented at the meetings. The prize was given to coffee farmers from Nicaragua . Janixce Florian from the MS-partner SOPPEXCCA, the cooperation of small coffee farmers in Nicaragua , received the award in Copenhagen .

A new chairman for MS was elected 2^nd May in Denmark and his name was published today (3^rd May). Soeren Hougaard will be the new chairman, and the vice-chair will be Pernille Neergaard. Soeren Hougaard is 49 years old and an experienced man in the development world. He is the leader of the trade-union SID’s international development program.

News from the director

Finn Petersen is in Denmark for the Annual Policy Meeting and the Annual General Assembly. Important news from the meetings will be brought to you shortly after his return to Tanzania – or in the Newsletter for June.

Up-dates on Smarty Hardy

Although the five ‘Smarty Hardy’ (the name on the bicycle) only have been on the road for 2-3 weeks within Mdandu Division, UVIMTA will here bring a quick up-date on what the comments have been so far and how the bicycles are doing.

The overall reception of the bicycles has been very positive and Smarty Hardy is handling the environment of Mdandu Division in a great fashion. Many people in as well as outside Mdandu Division have already asked where a Smarty Hardy can be purchased and for how much. People see with their own eyes that it is possible to carry bigger loads than on normal bicycles, without interfering with, for example, the balance. The record - so far – has been a trip of 35 km with 120 kg behind – the load being two passengers: One was a human being, while the other was a 60 kg pig, going to the local market (it must have been a pretty sight). Other things that have been transported are bags of maize, potatoes and beans, while one tester is using his Smarty Hardy to transport second hand clothes, which he then sells.

HIV/AIDS

Although it is a little while ago (early March), the visit of short-term advisor Kirsten Madsen in Mdandu Division was a good and rewarding experience for UVIMTA-Mdandu and the many participants who came to learn more about HIV/AIDS. Despite only visiting UVIMTA for four days, Kirsten Madsen managed to get in touch with 18 villages, as well as various officials and government people from ward and district level. Furthermore, the conducted HIV/AIDS seminars were accompanied by a local drama/song group (Cha_sawaya), as well as personnel from Illembula Hospital and a local group of ‘People living with AIDS’ (Faraja), which UVIMTA is in the process of joining. UVIMTA estimates that in total around 1200 participants were reached by the HIV/AIDS seminars.

By Andreas Salomonsen, DW

LHRC inauguration of ‘Justice Lugakingira House’

The Legal and Human Rights Centre has now successfully constructed its own building which will host the head offices of the organisation. On Friday 23^rd April 2004 the centre officially inaugurated their new office premises situated in Kijitonyama near the Commission of Science and Technology. The new office of LHRC is named ‘Justice Lugakingira House’ in memory of the late Justice Kahwa Lugakingira, who was the first chairperson of LHRC as well as one of the most prominent human rights judges of the Court of Appeal in Tanzania.

On the same day LHRC officially launched their website. Now you can read about human rights, legislation, the organisation and news about human and legal rights related issues online on www.humanrightstz.org. The website also has a window with relevant links to other organisations, NGO’s, libraries and databases worldwide.

Next Habari za Tanzania

The next issue of Habari za Tanzania will be about ‘Global Tanzania’ and dealing with the challenges of globalisation. In richer countries globalisation might be considered a positive thing – but what about the access to globalisation for poorer countries? Feel free to contribute – contact the editor! Deadline for articles or other inputs for the magazine is 17^th May.

Out and around the CO

Joan Lohay will be attending the TRC regional meeting in Kwimba near Mwanza. The meeting will take place 19^th and 20^th May.

DW news

New DW’s have been chosen by two partners. For the position at TRC-Coalition in Dar es Salaam , Pernille Cordes will be the new DW. She will bring her two daughters of 11 and 14 years to Tanzania . For the position at Naramatisho in Bagamoyo, Rune Jakobsen will be the new DW. Both the new DW’s are starting work in August after attending the African Orientation Course at TCDC.

Contact for the Newsletter: michael_bech@net.dialog.dk – mobile 0744 - 87 40 80