Tanzania

Country manager: Bodil Sandin
bodil@tandlakareutangranser.se

Tanzania is located south of the equator and is twice the size of Sweden. The climate varies, depending on whether you are on the coast or inland and also with the height above sea level. On the coast and islands, it is a tropical monsoon climate, while inland it is dry and hot. It is considered one of Africa's best safari countries with a varied animal kingdom. There are approximately 37 million inhabitants. The socio-economic differences are large with some larger cities having everything and far inland it is very poor. Overall, however, the country is considered poor. Tanzania has been independent since 1961 and was previously a protectorate.

The country is severely affected by HIV/AIDS and before anti-inflammatory drugs were available, many people died, mostly the parents' generation. This means that there are many orphans, even if they are healthy. Now, fortunately, there is brake medicine available free of charge from US AID. This means that ¾ of the country's population is under 18 years of age.

There is no organized dental care. The largest part of dental care is provided in private clinics in the big cities as well as in hospitals run by various organizations and the state. It is mostly emergency dental care, extractions, surgery and prosthetic replacements for tooth loss that are carried out in the country.

In Tanzania, Dentists Without Borders has 2 different cities that you can apply to as a volunteer:

Bukoba

Bukoba is a city in northwestern Tanzania, close to the west coast of Lake Victoria and a few miles south of the border with Uganda. This is one of TLUG's newest project cities, which means that you as a volunteer can contribute a lot of new knowledge to the population.

The volunteer groups usually consist of 4 people consisting of dentists, dental hygienists, dental nurses, dental technicians and students. The trips are usually for a period of 2 weeks. As a volunteer for TLUG, you get to accompany and teach dental health in schools in the region, both students and staff will be present. The students are then screened and you as a volunteer get to do treatments such as ART repairs and fluoride varnishing, major emergency treatments such as extractions are referred to a local dentist. In addition to this, a practical review and training in toothbrush technique will also be carried out by the volunteers.

You will live in a house on school grounds where the school staff cooks food for the group that you, as a volunteer, pay for yourself. It is from that base that you will then go out to schools in the area. The electronics are not completely reliable, so it is important to bring a headlamp or flashlight. The internet connection is also sporadic. On the weekends, as a volunteer, you get free time to organize your own activities such as safaris or other excursions.

Mufindi

We are looking for 4 volunteers: Dentists, dental hygienists, dental nurses and dental technicians are welcome to apply. As a volunteer for TLUG, you must come along for teaching dental health in schools, preschools and at the children's home and staff. We will screen everyone, but Bodil will then take care of the treatment. You will therefore not perform invasive dental care.

The place for TLUG's effort is in a mountainous area inland, the journey takes at least 1 day depending on whether you drive or fly. The dentist Bodil Sandin who works there does it together with an NGO that has taken it upon itself to help 15 villages with different things. Orphanage, support for foster families, AIDS clinic, information about AIDS, home-based care, promote education. There are also Finnish doctors who volunteer.

You will stay in a guest house and receive meals there that you pay for. Electricity is available with a generator 3 hours per evening. Mobile phone and internet on phone work with local cards most of the time. There are no shops.

The possibility of a safari in connection with the journey home can be arranged yourself.

TRAVEL STORIES

REGISTRATION:

Send your application to bodil@tandlakareutangranser.se

We would like the following information from you:

1.-Name, surname

2.- Professional category and professional years

3.- Have you volunteered before in Sweden or abroad? If so, when and where?

4.- Why do you want to volunteer with us?

5.- Personal motivation and your view of what you can bring to the project