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Tanzania is a country of haves and have nots. With nearly 7 million people living in Dar es Salaam, you don’t have to look far to find the have nots.

We visited FASDO, Faru Arts and Sports Development Organization, in the Tandika Flats, one of the poorest areas in Dar with a 70-percent unemployment rate. The center, supported in part by a physician whom we know in Salem, attempts to give poor children skills through sports (soccer) and the arts (music, dance, theater, video production).

In advance of our trip, we collected donations of soccer cleats, socks, jerseys, jackets, shorts, and balls from Nathan’s soccer team and Aidan’s Cub Scout den to distribute to the kids. The church middle school group that I co-lead also donated money for children’s underwear. However, when we discovered that it would cost $2800 to ship the items to Tanzania, we had a problem. Fortunately, the generous folks at DHL stepped up and not only covered the shipping but the taxes as well. Thank you DHL!

The boys played a bit of soccer in FASDO’s dirt courtyard before passing out the gear to the younger children; the teens would come later in the day for theirs. The FASDO kids had pretty impressive juggling skills! What they didn’t have was actual soccer balls.  Now they do.

From Nathan: I know that soccer cleats can’t change a child’s life, but I hope we made a little difference.

From Aidan: The FASDO kids live in a very poor environment. The stuff we gave them helped a little bit, but it will take a lot more to get these kids off the street.

Travel TipTravel Tip 14: Fear not

When visiting an impoverished area, don’t be afraid of letting your kids see reality.

FASDO Center in Dar es Salaam
Neighborhood around center
Shy neighbor girls
Here’s what the boys use as a soccer ball.
Boys before they get their new soccer gear
Dirt courtyard where boys play
Boy heads the ball.
Boy assigns Aidan to team.
Header in action
Aidan on offense
Aidan attempts to steal.
Aidan dribbles in courtyard.
Aidan tries to steal the ball.
Aidan, Nathan, and younger boys at FASDO
Teens perform traditional African dances and music for us.
Male performer shows us his moves.
Center and neighborhood children watch performance.
Male performer plays to the audience.
The drums are warmed to give them a better sound.
One of the FASDO teens gives Shellie a lesson.
We watched a play. The actors labeled themselves, Nobody and Somebody.
This boy befriended Aidan.
Aidan tries to teach “rock, paper, scissors” to his new friend.
This young boy was so happy to receive a ball.
FASDO director with young girl
Many of the children don’t have shoes to wear.
New friend looking good
Some of the boys with their new cleats
Aidan says goodbye to new friend