The mission of Tanzania Christian Clinic is to educate health care providers in the arts of tropical and missionary medicine, to alleviate sickness by treatment and prevention, and to elucidate the teachings of Jesus the Great Physician to all who are receptive.
Medical Issues
The Monduli district is considered to be medically underserved. A myriad of tropical infectious diseases are prevalent such as malaria, typhoid, schistosomiasis, tuberculosis and various forms of severe enteritis. In addition, HIV-AIDS is prevalent with all its manifestations. Hypertension occurs frequently as well as occasional diabetes. Dental fluorosis is a universal problem among the indigenous people.
The Staff
The staff of Tanzania Christian Clinic consists of volunteers and employees. Current volunteers include Danny Smelser, MD, Nancy Smelser, RN, MSN, Ed.D; Stephanie Stafford, RN; and Shasta Brown, CPA. Employed staff includes Tizo Joseph, Clinic Facilitator; Innocent Alfayo, Chaplain; and Samwel Grace, Security Officer. The CareNow Foundation is supporting the salaraies of one Registered Nurse and one Clinical Medical Officer.
Geography
Tanzania Christian Clinic is located in Ngaresh Juu, a rural village in northern Tanzania. The nearest town is Monduli, about 6 km away. The larger city of Arusha, Tanzania, lies 50 km to the east, and Nairobi, Kenya, is a four hour drive to the north. Well-known tourist destinations such as Mt. Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater are a few hours away by automobile.
Culture
A variety of social/ethnic groups are represented in the Monduli district, with the major tribes in the area being Maasai and Chaga. Although Swahili is the predominant language, there are many who speak only Maasai. About one third of the population in the Arusha region are Muslim, one-third Christian (of various denominations), and one third of tribal faiths.
