First Days in Tanzania

We have been in Tanzania for a few days now. After my first stop at Charlotte Hospital, I travelled further south into the country - by plane to Mbeya and from there by car. After more than five hours of driving, I finally reached Sumbawanga, a remote but impressive city.

Here, the Forward Motion Foundation supports young mothers who became pregnant early and are facing enormous challenges. Many of them have been rejected by their families and have little access to education or medical care. But with targeted support, they are given a second chance - an opportunity to take their future into their own hands.

teen mothers

In Mpui I had the opportunity to meet some of these teen mothers, hear their stories and portray them in their environment. It was intense. Touching. And it reminded me once again why I am here.

Meanwhile, Bettina was working with Medical Mission at Charlotte Hospital. Thanks to generous donations, we were able to bring urgently needed medical supplies to Tanzania. Wherever possible, we buy equipment directly locally, but we bought some things - like kiwi bells or resuscitation bags - in Switzerland and brought them with us. Everything was financed through donations. A huge thank you to everyone who made this possible! Thanks to a generous donation: A much-needed CTG device is now in use!

Things started happening immediately in the hospital: births, emergencies, operations. The team here does incredible work. The picture below shows a hysterectomy - one of many life-saving operations that are carried out here every day.

The next few days promise many more impressions, encounters and stories.

With this in mind – tuonane hivi karibuni!