Tanzania
61.7 MILLION population
65% rural access to basic water services
21.75% rural access to basic sanitation services
Water For People in Tanzania
Tanzania is a country in East Africa with vast natural diversity, from the plains of the Serengeti to Mount Kilimanjaro, the continent’s highest mountain. It’s also the most populous country south of the equator and has over 120 ethnic, linguistic, and religious groups. Tanzania borders eight other countries, including the three in which Water For People also works – Uganda and Rwanda to the north and Malawi to the south.
In 2022, Water For People opened a country program office with local team members in Dodoma, the nation’s capital city. The Tanzania team will also initially support region-wide water, sanitation, and hygiene planning capacity with a special focus on Mpwapwa District.
"There is no alternative to water, just as there is
no alternative to climate."
Happiness Willbroad
Country Director, Water For People Tanzania
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About Mpwapwa Everyone Forever District
Home to over 403,247 people, Mpwapwa is one of the seven districts in the Dodoma region. As part of the Everyone Forever model, focusing on Mpwapwa means a deep commitment to lasting water, sanitation, and hygiene services for every family, health care facility, and school in the area.
There are 9 registered Community Based Water Supply Organizations which have limited capacity to meet all operation and maintenance costs, and of the 180 public schools (primary schools 136, secondary schools 40, and 4 colleges), 62 don’t have an adequate water supply system in their premises. Much of the existing water infrastructure is no longer working due to age and physical condition, and access to improved water supply coverage in the rural parts of the district has remained below 65%. The Water For People team in Tanzania is developing, strengthening, and supporting the communities and partners in Mpwapwa to ensure access to sustainable water services.
Reflections from our Work Women, water, and change
The impact of our work isn’t just statistics to us. It is personal, it is close to our hearts. We smile together with every life saved, every household improved, and every thirst quenched.
Our Regional Director, Cate Zziwa Nimanya, shares her experience after visiting Mpwapwa. "Tanzania is Good, Water is a Women’s issue," she says.