ActionAid Tanzania has been active since 1997, and established a permanent office here in 1998. We now work with over 65,000 people in remote rural areas. Our main focus is education and non-formal education.

We work closely with existing organisations and community groups to make sure that the change we achieve together is appropriate and lasting. ActionAid also campaigns against the economic policies that keep people poor.

Child sponsorship in Tanzania

Fatuma (11 years old, pictured right) likes school and particularly reading. When at home she likes reading and helps cooking and cleaning. She says “I would like to go to secondary school and I want to be a doctor... Since I was one I saw my family were fighting diseases so I wanted to help my family and the community members.”

ActionAid has been working with communities to develop school systems and keep as many children like Fatuma in school as possible. Education is one of the best ways for people to lift themselves out of poverty. Sponsoring a child will not only help with essentials such as classrooms, books and uniforms, but also help provide school meals and fight for local language teaching and flexible school timetables.

• Sponsor a child in Tanzania

Wealth and development in Tanzania

Tanzania was established in 1964. For most of its early years, president Julius Nyerere committed the country to a policy of socialism and self reliance. The programme failed due to inefficiency, corruption, resistance and the rise in price of imported petroleum.

In 1986, the World Bank imposed a structural adjustment programme, telling Tanzania to forget its socialist principles, liberalise the economy and reduce public spending. The economic policies imposed on Tanzania have meant it has struggled to develop in recent years and is now largely dependent on aid and loans. Nevertheless, Tanzania has made significant progress in achieving social economic progress and President Mkapa, elected in 1995, has waged a war against corruption.

How you can help

When you sponsor a child in Tanzania, you'll be providing the resources for real, long-term change. You'll get two letters a year from the child you sponsor, and updates from the country programme to tell you how the money you are spending is changing the community your child lives in.

• Sponsor a child in Tanzania