Making it Happen: On the Ground in Africa

Grounds for Health is back on the ground in Tanzania! We’re continuing our partnerships with the Jane Goodall Institute and the Kanyovu Coffee Co-operatives, and after just a couple of weeks, we’ve already accomplished a great deal.

When we first got to the capital of Dar es Salaam, we learned that the Tanzanian Ministry of Health has been following our work very closely. Apparently, we are the first and only cervical health program up and running in the entire country. Because of this, the Ministry will use our project in Kigoma as a key demonstration project to base its eventual roll out of a comprehensive cervical cancer prevention program. Great news for Grounds for Health!

After a week in Kigoma, we’ve also learned a great deal about the obstacles. It’s hard to keep up with even the most basic supplies like cotton and wooden sticks to make simple swabs. Can you imagine how difficult it would be to start programs with highly specialized supplies and equipment? It probably explains why Grounds for Health is the only operational women’s health program on the ground in this huge country.

August will update us soon with more notes from the field. So stay tuned!