Development in Development in Dar es SalaamDar es Salaam

Eleanor MeegodaEleanor MeegodaPrinceton 2012Princeton 2012

Funding for Two ProjectsFunding for Two ProjectsThank you to Grand Challenges for Thank you to Grand Challenges for providing me a stipend to intern at providing me a stipend to intern at

CCI Tanzania and to intern for a CCI Tanzania and to intern for a professor at the University of Dar es professor at the University of Dar es

Salaam on Tanzania’s transition Salaam on Tanzania’s transition from Socialism to Capitalism. from Socialism to Capitalism.

Research: “From Socialism Research: “From Socialism to Capitalism”to Capitalism”

• During the months of July and During the months of July and August, I was supposed to conduct August, I was supposed to conduct research with the guidance of a research with the guidance of a University of Dar es Salaam University of Dar es Salaam Professor. Professor.

• While the actual research did not pan While the actual research did not pan out, I learned informally about issues out, I learned informally about issues facing academic research in facing academic research in Tanzanian Universities. Tanzanian Universities.

““Academic Obstacles”Academic Obstacles”• 2 PhD graduates last year from U. of 2 PhD graduates last year from U. of

DSMDSM• The University gives PhD graduates, The University gives PhD graduates,

those with the most knowledge and those with the most knowledge and desire for research, administrative desire for research, administrative work. Research in Dar es Salaam work. Research in Dar es Salaam requires government approval, i.e. requires government approval, i.e. lots of red tape. lots of red tape.

From Socialism to From Socialism to CapitalismCapitalism

From the few meetings and attempts at research, I learnedFrom the few meetings and attempts at research, I learned– Tanzanian or Nyerere’s Socialism is different from the Tanzanian or Nyerere’s Socialism is different from the

Marxist or even South African “socialism.”Marxist or even South African “socialism.”– Development is often juxtaposed as “capitalism” Development is often juxtaposed as “capitalism”

against socialism, where we might see it more against socialism, where we might see it more specifically as “globalization vs. domestic status specifically as “globalization vs. domestic status quo/government policy.” quo/government policy.”

– Christian Extremism has increased in Dar es Salaam – Christian Extremism has increased in Dar es Salaam – even next door to me were two churches for which the even next door to me were two churches for which the services included singing, crying, loud preaching, and services included singing, crying, loud preaching, and even tongues. even tongues.

– Academics blame the rise of Christian Extremism on Academics blame the rise of Christian Extremism on funding by Western and (especially) American funding by Western and (especially) American churches and conservative groups. churches and conservative groups.

CCI TanzaniaCCI Tanzania• CCI Tanzania (Center for Community Initiatives) is CCI Tanzania (Center for Community Initiatives) is

an NGO (an affiliate of) that works under the an NGO (an affiliate of) that works under the model of Slum/Shack Dwellers International (SDI). model of Slum/Shack Dwellers International (SDI).

• SDI affiliates support a network of savings and SDI affiliates support a network of savings and loan groups, called the Federation, by helping to loan groups, called the Federation, by helping to form savings and loans group, training financial form savings and loans group, training financial knowledge, and helping the group members knowledge, and helping the group members coordinate different types of development such as: coordinate different types of development such as: settlement development, toilets, water sanitation, settlement development, toilets, water sanitation, community policing, and income generation. community policing, and income generation.

Let Me Count the WaysLet Me Count the WaysDuring my 3 months working with CCI:During my 3 months working with CCI:• I conducted interviews to evaluate the improvements in I conducted interviews to evaluate the improvements in

and identify new strategies to improve the developmental and identify new strategies to improve the developmental and financial activities of a ward level Savings and Loans and financial activities of a ward level Savings and Loans GroupGroup

• Participated in Climate Change Adaptation researchParticipated in Climate Change Adaptation research• Helped with the first ever compilation of census data Helped with the first ever compilation of census data

collection from all of the Dar es Salaam slumscollection from all of the Dar es Salaam slums• Created a Microfinance Lesson Plan for Federation Created a Microfinance Lesson Plan for Federation

WorkshopsWorkshops• Attended Federation MeetingsAttended Federation Meetings• Attended Meeting with International NGO fundersAttended Meeting with International NGO funders• Met with Tanzanian City Council and NGO representatives Met with Tanzanian City Council and NGO representatives

to discuss urban planning for the next 5-10 yearsto discuss urban planning for the next 5-10 years• Attended a Tanzania-Wide Federation conference Attended a Tanzania-Wide Federation conference

Skills DevelopedSkills Developed• Researching and writing QuestionnairesResearching and writing Questionnaires• Conducting Semi-structured InterviewsConducting Semi-structured Interviews• SwahiliSwahili• Writing ReportsWriting Reports• Taking Dar es Salaam Public TransportTaking Dar es Salaam Public Transport• Getting used to public latrines. Getting used to public latrines. • **Identifying the difference between **Identifying the difference between

supporting Federation development and supporting Federation development and developing reliance** developing reliance**

ConclusionConclusionGood and Critical Research by Tanzanians in Good and Critical Research by Tanzanians in

Tanzania is impeded not just by funding or Tanzania is impeded not just by funding or internet and academic resources, but by internet and academic resources, but by institutions.institutions.

CCI viewed professors as a resource to add CCI viewed professors as a resource to add credibility to the NGO-State research we credibility to the NGO-State research we were doing, rather than substantive supportwere doing, rather than substantive support

Important Development Bodies relied on the Important Development Bodies relied on the research undertaken by Federation research undertaken by Federation Members, which CCI helped to compile. Members, which CCI helped to compile.

ConclusionConclusion• Research, especially to continually check up on Research, especially to continually check up on

the activities of NGOs and CBOs, is necessary the activities of NGOs and CBOs, is necessary to continue to improve the services received by to continue to improve the services received by poor people and to reduce the barriers they poor people and to reduce the barriers they face in taking control of their own development. face in taking control of their own development.

• I was ecstatic to be part of the evaluation I was ecstatic to be part of the evaluation process and to realize just how easy it was for process and to realize just how easy it was for an NGO to monitor and improve its strategies. an NGO to monitor and improve its strategies.

• I am incredibly appreciative of the opportunity I am incredibly appreciative of the opportunity to participate in Development Strategies that to participate in Development Strategies that are new to Tanzania and see the kind of are new to Tanzania and see the kind of planning it requires. planning it requires.

Conclusion Conclusion Thank you to my two superiors, Tim Thank you to my two superiors, Tim

Ndezi and Stella Stephens for the Ndezi and Stella Stephens for the opportunity to work with them. They opportunity to work with them. They showed me the kind of commitment it showed me the kind of commitment it takes to work in the type of NGO I’d takes to work in the type of NGO I’d like to work in. They taught me not like to work in. They taught me not only about how to navigate office only about how to navigate office dynamics, NGO funding and resources, dynamics, NGO funding and resources, but also about living in Dar es Salaam. but also about living in Dar es Salaam.