By NARMY RICHARD MWANBOZI – Art in Tanzania internship
The Tanzanian economy is poor, and annual household income is low. According to the World Bank, Tanzania’s Gross Domestic Product per capita was recorded at $ 985.50 in 2019.
The GDP per Capita in Tanzania is equivalent to 8 per cent of the world’s average. Many people in Tanzania rely on seasonal jobs, such as those in agriculture, for their survival, while others are completely unemployed. Agriculture is a key activity for many Tanzanians, as about 60 per cent of citizens depend on it.
Many households in Tanzania are poorly constructed, leading to the development of unplanned settlements in urban areas. For example, townships like Keko, Mbagala, and Manzese in Dar es Salaam, as well as Mwanjelwa and Mbalizi in Mbeya, which are characterised by unplanned settlements, poor infrastructure, and a limited supply of social services. Infrastructure, as it relates to connectivity between houses, is inefficient due to poor roads, inadequate water systems, including sewage systems, and a lack of a safe and clean water supply.
A lack of clean water for drinking and cleaning leads to household dirtiness and causes contamination, resulting in illnesses.
Additionally, waste removal is inadequate, especially in areas that were constructed when the population was still small but are now highly populated and still reliant on the original basic infrastructure, which cannot meet the needs of water and waste management.
Towns like Keko are prone to diarrheal diseases related to poor hygiene, such as typhoid and cholera, which are often exacerbated by rainy seasons. This is because excess rains reach households and spreads the supply of waste, including faeces.
People living in poverty have low levels of education, and their knowledge of health and the importance of clean household management is limited. People believe in witchcraft, not necessarily understanding that the serious health problems are caused by poor hygiene and sanitation. Therefore, there is a need to advocate for people alongside infrastructural development.
Many Tanzanians struggle to build good and healthy toilets due to their limited income. Visiting some villages in Mbarali, Mbeya, such as Itamboleo and Mapunga and observing that toilets are sub-standard or completely missing. The Itamboleo village council devised a plan to ensure the construction of proper toilets in the village and instructed that those failing to follow the plan would face sanctions. The plan did not work correctly, as villagers blamed them for not having enough money to construct those toilets. Additionally, the leaders’ mentality is that toilets with septic tanks are the only safe option, which is not factual.
Thus, we need to educate people in villages about a healthy household at an affordable cost.
The water supply in Tanzania is gradually improving in many towns, such as Mbeya rural districts, the northern regions of Tanzania, and Dar es Salaam. However, water supply remains a problem in many areas, leading to poor household hygiene and sanitation in Tanzania.
Along with the significant issues on household hygiene and sanitation, more minor issues also primarily affect our health. The kitchen’s appearance and settings are traditionally ineffective. Many households prepare their food in a kitchen full of dirt and clutter, with storage for charcoal, food, and various kitchen appliances all in the same place. The light supply is often poor, and the kitchen may serve as a breeding ground for rats and rodents, thereby spreading diseases.
Our body hygiene and sanitation are the key factors for our everyday success and activities. It is our choice to advocate for positive changes in household hygiene.
