Mount Kilimanjaro reaches to the sky before disappearing into the clouds. The Serengeti National Park stretches on for miles before fading into the horizon. Lakes dot the landscape, forming a mesmerizing maze throughout the entire country. But in the midst of all this beauty, there are millions of people experiencing great tragedy. According to some sources, almost 68% of the population of Tanzania lives below the poverty line, and the life expectancy is only 45 years old. This is a fairly simple statistic to understand, but an impossible one to process. I do not pretend to understand what it is like to live in these conditions, but trying to figure out what caused such widespread poverty is a place to start.
Before Tanzania became “The United Republic of Tanzania”, it was a combination of two nations referred to as Tanganyika and Zanzibar. The two territories did not unite until 1964, less than 60 years ago. Since then, Tanzania has experienced many conflicts. From battles with the Ugandans in 1978 to Al-Qaeda bombings and national protests in the late 1900’s and early 2000’s, Tanzania has scarcely had time to recover from one conflict before experiencing another. In addition to this, Tanzania is still a very new country and has had very little time to develop as a result. It took America 170 years to gain independence after English colonization, and many years more to develop into a true first world country. The United States has seen very little government corruption compared to many other nations, and it still took hundreds of years for the country to develop. In comparison, Tanzania has experienced multiple conflicts, government corruption, and large protests within its 55 years of existence. Given this information, it makes sense that Tanzania would be a developing country at this point in history. However, the past does not define the present, and the present does not define the future.
From 2006 to 2012, the extreme poverty rate declined by 4%. In addition to this, the tourism business has skyrocketed and many other industries such as agriculture, mining, construction, and oil/gas production have also developed, helping improve Tanzania’s economy. While Tanzania remains a low income country, it is home to many different tribes who speak hundreds of different languages, creating a very unique and diverse culture. Despite Tanzania’s extreme diversity, Tanzania is one of the few African countries where it is common for citizens to identify themselves as Tanzanians first rather than with their affiliated tribes. In addition to this, there are many cultural aspects of Tanzania that make it unique. For example, members of certain ethnic groups believe that when their picture is taken, a piece of their soul is taken with it, so it is important to respect this and ask before using a camera. Elders are also treated with great respect in Tanzania, which is very important to acknowledge and remember. Even subtle things like abnormally long handshakes, lack of public affection, and the rudeness of smelling food before eating it contribute to Tanzania’s culture and are all important things to remember.
With Tanzania’s beautiful landscape and intriguing culture, it is easy to forget about the large scale poverty when the country is only looked at on paper. However, the fact of the matter is that 67.9% of Tanzania’s population is living under the poverty line, and that is 67.9% too high. But once again, the past does not define the present, and the present does not define the future. Tanzania is a beautiful country full of wonderful people, and there is so much hope for the future. I am beyond excited to partake in this experience and can’t wait to experience Tanzania for myself. I will never fully understand what it is like to live in positions like the ones I will see, but this experience will bring me one step closer to putting myself in someone else’s shoes and living a life of gratitude.
“Truth will always be truth, regardless of lack of understanding, disbelief, or ignorance.”
-W. Clement Stone
