2008 Woodie Awards
RSSTanzania more advanced than we think
A broad abroad
By Ryan Ruggiero
Issue date: 10/30/07 Section: Lifestyle
The word "underdeveloped" is often used to describe countries experiencing poverty or to describe those once referred to as third world countries. These countries are commonly known as less developed because many aspects of their country are underdeveloped including their educational system, economic system and employment system.
Developed countries often view development in terms of monetary wealth, economic success and technological advancement. In a world that revolves around money and is operated through the buying and selling of goods, this view of development is a realistic one. Therefore, in the world we live in today, the term underdeveloped is an accurate description of countries living in poverty.
As volunteers in Tanzania, our goal is to help create sustainability with the groups we are working with. We are trying to increase development by giving our time and efforts to grass roots organizations to hopefully create lasting change.
The poverty in Tanzania is more than noticeable when you are walking through the villages. Children wearing dirty clothes and no shoes run through the streets. Walking through the local markets, you see women trying to make a living by selling fruits, vegetables and fish, even though the sanitary conditions are horrendous.
Visiting the homes of families is also a unique opportunity to see the living conditions of the people and to talk with the families. The Moshi Disabled Network conducts home visits, which entail visiting disabled people and their families.
Many of the homes have children who are not in school because the family cannot afford books or uniforms. Family members usually are wearing the same clothes they wore the day before. Most of the homes we visit have no electricity, running water or roofs. Many family members live in one house.
When I first visited some of the homes and saw these living conditions, I quickly began to wonder how people could live this way. Coming from a developed country, I am accustomed to having the whole world at my fingertips. So the idea of not even being able to turn on the sink to get running water, or even flip a switch to get light, is hard to witness firsthand.
Developed countries often view development in terms of monetary wealth, economic success and technological advancement. In a world that revolves around money and is operated through the buying and selling of goods, this view of development is a realistic one. Therefore, in the world we live in today, the term underdeveloped is an accurate description of countries living in poverty.
As volunteers in Tanzania, our goal is to help create sustainability with the groups we are working with. We are trying to increase development by giving our time and efforts to grass roots organizations to hopefully create lasting change.
The poverty in Tanzania is more than noticeable when you are walking through the villages. Children wearing dirty clothes and no shoes run through the streets. Walking through the local markets, you see women trying to make a living by selling fruits, vegetables and fish, even though the sanitary conditions are horrendous.
Visiting the homes of families is also a unique opportunity to see the living conditions of the people and to talk with the families. The Moshi Disabled Network conducts home visits, which entail visiting disabled people and their families.
Many of the homes have children who are not in school because the family cannot afford books or uniforms. Family members usually are wearing the same clothes they wore the day before. Most of the homes we visit have no electricity, running water or roofs. Many family members live in one house.
When I first visited some of the homes and saw these living conditions, I quickly began to wonder how people could live this way. Coming from a developed country, I am accustomed to having the whole world at my fingertips. So the idea of not even being able to turn on the sink to get running water, or even flip a switch to get light, is hard to witness firsthand.
