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TANZANIA 2011
Martha Collins, MD, MPH, Nilofer Naqvi, School Psychologist, and Amanda Martinage, Occupational Therapist traveled to Tanzania for 3 weeks in July/August 2011. There were several purposes for this trip. The first was to provide training for teachers regarding autism spectrum disorders at Msimbazi Mseto Primary School – Autism Unit
The teachers learned via lectures, video and hands on experience. Topics discussed included defining diagnostic characteristics of autism, incidence, etiology, assessment measures, teaching strategies, behavioral interventions, communication strategies, sensory processing and developing an individualized student plan.
The Ministry Of Education recognized OMPACO’s visit and positively acknowledged the teacher training by sending two members of the Ministry to participate as well as freeing thirty teachers from their daily schedules in special needs classrooms.
At the end of the week, approximately 30 teachers completed the training and were awarded a certificate jointly issued by the Ministry of Education and OMPACO.
Professional alliances were formed. The teachers of Tanzania presented a formal thank you letter and a request for further training to continue their understanding and ability to work with children on the autism spectrum.
After the teacher training, Martha and Amanda meet with parents and their children for consultation evaluations while Nilofer performed standardized assessments on some other children. A training for caregivers was also completed to promote carryover of teaching strategies into the homes of the children
A morning lecture was also held at Muhimbili Medical Center in the Department of Psychiatry for both Staff
and medical professionals in the department entitled “Etiology, Assessment and Management of Children with
Autism Spectrum Disorders.” A focus group was created and met after the lecture to discuss what could be
done at the hospital with the information presented.
OMPACO representatives traveled to Dareda Hospital, near Arusha Town. OMPACO had contributed
donations to the building fund for the new maternity unit, which is completed, and we were taken on a tour.
We delivered four new laptops to the Nursing School tutors for use by the nursing students especially in their
work in public health clinics in the area. Andrew Racine, M.D. received additional computers from Montefiore
Medical Center in New York City and he delivered these. Sophie Racine assisted in training the staff in
computer skills which will greatly improve their knowledge and ability to access information using this
technology.
Finally there was a trip to visit a special needs classroom at the Patrick Winter Primary School where toys and
classroom materials were donated in past years. We met with the classroom teachers, school administrators
and village leaders to discuss the progress of the special needs classroom and future needs of the program.
One request of a special needs teacher to volunteer at the School was brought forward and enthusiastically
agreed on by all.
The trip was a success having several trainings completed with a variety of professionals. OMPACO continued
to form a strong bond with the members of the Tanzanian community and is grateful for the help and
continued interest of our friends at home and abroad.