Central and East Africa

Example of Oxfam programs

Image: Welezo school: Aisha Saidi, 9 (left), and Anna Emmanuel, 8 ready to answer a question during Kiswahili language lesson. Credit: Ami Vitale/ Oxfam

Investing in the future in Tanzania – In 2002 the Tanzanian government introduced free and compulsory primary education made possible by money gained through debt relief. Some 1.6 million children attended primary school for the first time and the numbers have been rising ever since. Ironically, therein lies a new problem. In remote areas like Shinyanga the average teacher-pupil ratio is 1:66 – the worst in the country. Some teachers now have to content with class sizes of nearly 100 pupils.

Image: Women constructing Oxfam shelters for the 'night commuters' in Kitgum Town, Uganda. Credit: Oxfam

Promoting equality in Kitgum District, Uganda – Oxfam recognizes that lack of opportunities for women to earn an income is a significant factor in the perpetuation of poverty, and a serious barrier to their equality with men. In northern Uganda, where women are still excluded from organized politics and community leadership, and are confined to an overburdened domestic role, Oxfam has deliberately sought ways to increase their involvement and participation.

Image: A water tank provides valuable water to pastoral communities. Credit: Oxfam

Kenya: in search of water – Oxfam Quebec works with GOK to develop Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for water resource planners in northern Kenya. Prolonged droughts have posed innumerable difficulties for the people in northern Kenya, especially those residing in the settlement areas. Following the seasons in search for healthy pasture and available water sources for their livestock, pastoralists sometimes travel hundreds of kilometers and across national borders to support their animal-based livelihood.

Which Oxfams work in:

Central & East Africa	AUS	BEL	CAN	DEU	ESP	GBR	HKG	IRL	NLD	NZL	QC	USA
Burundi
Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
kenya
Rwanda
Tanzania (United Republic of)
Uganda

This information covers the financial year 2005-2006 and refers to areas where Oxfam is involved in one or more of the following: operational programs (development or emergency), working through partners and/or working through another Oxfam affiliate.