ON THE GROUND: Simanjiro Community Health Project, Tarangire, Tanzania

Pastoralism is a way of life for the villagers in Simanjiro Plains, Tanzania: lack of cash, distance and poor roads turn minor health problems into major illnesses. The construction of one health centre here has made a difference to the local community members who now have access to better healthcare.

Simanjiro Plains lie to the west of the world-famous Tarangire-Manyara ecosystem in northern Tanzania. These diverse and complex grasslands form an important wildlife refuge and have been designated as one of the World’s 200 most biologically outstanding habitats by WorldWide Fund for Nature (WWF). This area is also home to over 350,000 Maasai pastoralist communities from Sukuro, Narakauo, Emboreet, Terat, Loiborsoit, Kimotorok and Loiborsirret.

Besides the elephants, zebras and wildebeest from Tarangire National Park use the Simanjiro Plains to disperse during the wet season to calve. As such, they are fertile grounds for disease transmission, especially to the Maasai pastoralists and their livestock. Incidences of human-wildlife conflicts are also common, especially from lion attacks. Poverty-related diseases such as kwasiakor and marasmus are also widespread in this area.

One of the greatest challenges therefore facing this community is lack of adequate health care facilities. In support of government’s efforts, Grassroots Logistics have been encouraging donors and supporters to assist equip the health facility. In future, we hope to establish a working relationship with the Ministry of Health in so as to identify the most urgent drugs needed, especially for children below five years.

By assisting the community through improved healthcare, the project will help to reduce infant and child mortality rates. It will also be part of the nationwide anti-polio campaign efforts.