BACKGROUND
The most populous country in East Africa was formed in 1964 through the union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. Today, it is home to more than 58 million people. Compared to neighbouring countries, Tanzania has remained relatively peaceful and stable, achieving annual GDP growth of 6–7% over the past decade. However, the benefits of this growth have only been felt to a limited extent by the population, as the country’s population is growing at a faster rate than its economy.
As a result, although the proportion of people living in extreme poverty has decreased, their absolute number has remained largely unchanged, still amounting to nearly 13 million. Rapid population growth places significant pressure on public services, meaning that access to quality education, healthcare, and safe drinking water remains limited. The situation is further exacerbated by the arrival of several hundred thousand refugees from neighbouring Burundi since 2015.
WHY DO WE WORK HERE?
In Dar es Salaam, the economic centre of Tanzania, nearly 90% of residents living in urban segregated areas lack access to safe drinking water and basic hygiene services. A common solution in these areas is the construction of simple latrines, which quickly become unusable due to extreme overuse, necessitating the construction of new facilities.
However, this is highly costly: building modern latrines connected to sewage systems costs approximately USD 800. As a result, both communities and schools face serious access challenges. There is a clear need for sustainable public health systems, yet local government capacities are insufficient to provide effective solutions.
OUR PARTNERS
Our main local partner is SAWA, a civil society organisation specialising in water development. Within the framework of the programme, a cooperation agreement has been established with the leadership of the elected community board, stipulating that the centre will be constructed partly through their contribution, and that its maintenance will largely be the responsibility of the local community. This ensures strong local ownership, as the community has a direct interest in the creation, operation and sustainability of the facility. While professional oversight is provided by our main partner, day-to-day maintenance is carried out by community representatives, with the involvement of external support staff.
The professional quality of the programme is further supported by TAWASa.NET, an umbrella organisation representing Tanzanian civil society organisations, which acts as a pro bono advisory partner. It also provides NGOs in the country with advocacy, legal and economic support.
Another key partner is the City Council, which assists with obtaining the necessary permits. Finally, the school leadership and its governing body play a crucial role in selecting the site, defining professional objectives, and contributing to both the construction and long-term operation of the project. The planned programme is the result of the formal and active cooperation of all these stakeholders.
National center
International relations
1011. Budapest, Bem rakpart 28.
Tel.: +36-1-391-4700
Fax: +36-1-391-4728
E-mail: nemzetkozi@maltai.hu
