Tanzania 2024

 

OMPACO continued its dedication to teacher and professional education this summer, returning to Mwanza, Tanzania. Known as “Rock City” for its awe-inspiring distinctive granite boulders, Mwanza is the second largest city in Tanzania. It lies in the northwest region of the county along the shores of massive Lake Victoria. 

 

 

Our clinical team included Deborah Arin, Speech and Language Pathologist, MS, CCC-SLP and Co-founder of Ompaco; Dr. Martha Collins, MD, MPH, Founder of OMPACO; Megan Ricci, MA, School Psychologist; Dr. Susan Lambrecht Smith, Ph.D., CCC-SLP and Rebecca Setera, Educator and Specialized Autism Trainer.  

 

 

Meeting us in Dar es Salaam, local Tanzanian OMPACO member Veronika Sarwatt was critical in assisting the team throughout the trip, acting as both guide and translator.

 

 

Arriving in Mwanza in the early morning, William Msheto, a local educator and translator, greeted the team. His work throughout the trip was critical in the successful collaboration with the Special Education Officers in the region and Sasi Alex Nzololo, Head of the Unit at Buhongwa Primary School, who hosted our training.

 

 

OMPACO’s educational trainings aimed to enhance the capacity of local educators and families in areas concerning autism, speech and language development, and the creation and use of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). The objective was to provide practical knowledge and support to improve the educational experience for children with disabilities, their families, and educators. 

 

 

This team worked with 46 educators from various programs and schools in the Mwanza area from July 2 to 4 for training on Autism. The first workshop was a hands-on, interactive training on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) awareness and knowledge, focusing on the etiology of Autism, assessment, communication, teaching strategies, behavioral interventions, and IEPs (Individualized Educational Program). The training included slide decks, short instructional videos, discourse, and hands-on learning opportunities. 

  

On Thursday evening, after this three-day training, three educators ventured out on a safari. They witnessed the millions of wildebeest on migration and countless other animals such as baboons, lions, elephants, giraffes, vultures, secretary birds, zebras, and so many more! Staying in tents in the Serengeti, Water Buffalos, and Giraffes greeted them in the morning as they made their way through the tent site!  

 

Back in Mwanza, other OMPACO members explored the Saanane Island National Park on Saanane Island in Lake Victoria. The island is home to the rare Debrazzaz monkey and over 40 species of birds. 

 

 

With the start of the new week, our second training ran from July 9th-10th and continued learning objectives related to IEP development, classroom strategies and interventions, and data-keeping. The training provided participants with a clearer understanding of how to tailor educational plans to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities. Utilizing case studies, this workshop included applying strategies/interventions for autism in the classroom for many of the attendees’ students in their classrooms. 

 

 

To improve speech and language services for children with disabilities in Tanzania, Dr. Smith and Deborah Arin developed and conducted a third and final training session on July 11th-12th. The two-day training provided an overview of speech and language services in East Africa and Tanzania and the roles and responsibilities of speech and language pathologists.  In addition, the training gave an overview of different populations and general language intervention strategies easily used in the classroom. Participants enjoyed the interactive practice of prompting and reinforcement techniques designed to improve language skills.

 

 

In addition, the OMPACO team sorted through several large suitcases of donations from the USA that accompanied them.  Donations included educational supplies and games/toys compiled by OMPACO team members. The special education officers in the region delivered these donations to students in schools in Mwanza. 

 

 

Dr. Collins conducted 54 individual consultations with parents and families throughout the trip. These one-on-one sessions addressed specific concerns regarding their children’s development, provided tailored advice, and recommended resources. The consultations were critical to building trust and rapport with the local community and provided families with direct support.

 

 

Through participant feedback surveys, OMPACO achieved several vital outcomes:

 

 

• Increased Awareness: The trainings raised awareness among local educators and parents about autism and speech and language development.

 

• Capacity Building: Participants left with practical skills and strategies they could immediately apply in their classrooms and homes.

• Parent Engagement: Martha Collins’ consultations were crucial in directly engaging families and offering them personalized guidance and support.

• IEP Implementation: The IEP training laid the groundwork for better structuring educational support for students with special needs. Participants gained a deeper understanding of how to create and implement these plans.

 

The trip to Mwanza was a success, fulfilling its objectives of providing education and support to local educators and families. The knowledge and skills imparted will help improve the quality of education for children with disabilities. The team looks forward to building on this foundation and supporting the Tanzanian community through future initiatives.

 

 

Submitted by: Deborah Arin, Team Leader