International Work In Tanzania, East Africa
WHERE IS TANZANIA?
Tanzania is a country on the east coast of Sub-Saharan Africa with the great Indian Ocean lying to its east. Dar es Salaam, the capital city, is where the paternal side of my family is from and holds a special place in my heart. Growing up outside of the country, I was fortunate enough to have a community of Swahili people living here in NYC who, along with my family, immersed me in Swahili culture, cuisine and religious practice. My father always referred to his country as “back home” and the familiarity of its people, foods, material culture and traditions resonated strongly within my New York home.
Tanzania is a very rich and diverse place full of culture, religion, language, landscape and wildlife. It is also considered a developing nation and there are many impoverished parts of the country that still see extremely high maternal mortality rates and neonatal deaths. On the island of Zanzibar, isolated from the mainland, there is a particular need for trained midwives and physicians who can assist in childbirth and gynecology care. Poor education, disease and lack of healthcare have made giving birth more risky to mother and baby..
COMMUNITY WORK
In response to these healthcare deficits, organizations, such as WAJAMAMA Holistic Health Care Center, are doing their part to provide high quality women’s health care and education to the island and its people. As a trained midwife and Tanzanian-American, I use my voice to help promote these organizations as well as provide skilled volunteer services when I am living on the island. I take a few months per year away from NYC and my homebirth practice to live and work in Zanzibar. I see this work as giving back to my father’s community and as a way to honor the gifts of my upbringing, including my deep-seated traditions and Islamic beliefs.
In addition, I am also involved in the education of women on the island particularly in the area of disease prevention, basic maternal health and hygiene and neonatal care post-birth.
Aside from my medical work, I support organizations leading the effort in providing clean water to the island. Supporting the building of wells in remote locations with little to no electricity has also been especially rewarding, along with skills training, support groups and religious classes.
