Tanzania’s Struggle

A recent survey by the Social, Political, and Economic Barometer (SPEC) found that some 8.4 million people in Tanzania skip meals daily to cope with the economic hardships in the country. The survey also found that 17 million people have drastically reduced expenditures on essential household items in response to spiraling prices of basic commodities.

Tanzania possess vast amounts of natural resources including gold, diamonds, coal, platinum, uranium, tin, and other minerals. They are the third largest producers of gold in Africa, right behind Ghana and South Africa. Tanzania is also known for their beautiful national parks that generate a large tourism sector.

Facebook Now Offered in Swahili

Social networking giant, Facebook, has given the go ahead for a group of Swahili scholars to launch a new version of Facebook using the Swahili language.  The scholars hope that this new initiative will help preserve the language with its youth.  “The youth, the future generation, if you look at the biggest percentage of users on Facebook, they are the youth,” says Symon Wanda, one of the project’s initiators. 

Albino Trials Begin

Trials have currently begun for 12 people accused of murdering albino people and profiting from the selling of their body parts.  Yes, it’s a gruesome tale, however a large populace in Tanzania and nearby countries believe that the parts of albinos are a necessary component for practicing witchcraft.  Specifically in Tanzania it is believed by those who practice witchcraft that albino limbs bring good luck.

People with Albinism in Tanzania

Here in America we might not think twice when seeing someone with albinism. It might take us a few moments to process what we’ve seen. But for the most part it doesn’t break our stride. Not so in continental Africa. In some African countries, people with albinism are considered cursed, however, in other countries it is believed that if you have HIV and you have intercourse with an albino, then you will be cured. This belief has led to numerous rapes, particularly in Zimbabwe.