It is so hard to realise what poverty really is with so many support structures around us. The West is not free from tragedy nor hardship but the contrast to the 2/3 majority world is enormous. In this section we would like to give you some stories of poverty from ours and others experiences. This will be updated from time to time.

Where: Mogabiri, Tanzania

When: 1998

Context: In the high country of Tanzania certain multi national and other interests have encouraged coffee crops to be grown.

It is harvest time at last. Once the harvest is brought in and sold Yusufu can buy some new tools for the farm, stock up on food and buy new uniforms for the kids. The rep from the multi national beverage producer has turned up again but this time it will be different. No acceptance of a lower price will be had as a co-op has been formed and it is strong. The same old arguements go on. The man from the beverage factory wants a ridiculous price that will bring him vittually zero profit for his toil. The co-op stands strong until the rep throws up his hands and gets in the car as if he has been pushed too far. He knows that further down the road he will be stopped by one of the co-op members, wanting to do a deal on the side as this year has been tough. The unfair price is agreed upon, and one by one the others hear and cave in. Something is better than nothing, after all.

This is one of the means by which Yusufu will stay in poverty. 

Where: Musoma, Lake Victoria, Tanzania

When: 2000.

Context: Fisherman dealing with a international exporter. Originally told to us by a worker at the factory.

Day after day the fisherman has brought his load into the fish factory which exports Nile Perch to the West. He has been told that his money will be paid when it becomes available. He argues a little but is used to this. Come the time that the money is available the factory manager scans his finger over the record of the kilos and kilos of fish than he has brought in and gives him the final figure. The fisherman, who is illiterate, argues the point as he is sure the figure is as much as triple the amount. The argument gets heated but for the manager it is all a show. He knows, as does the fisherman, that if this goes to the police the man in gaol that night would be the fisherman. The manager has far more standing and bribery fire-power than the fisherman. He would then be under extra pressure to pay bail and be subject to the usual abuses of prison life. All this while his boat is sitting idle and his family go backwards financially. The fisherman backs down and accepts the total. The next day his catch is delivered to the same factory.... these are the means by which this man is kept in poverty.

Where: Musoma, Tanzania

When: 2000.

Context: Viazi, a single man, is trying to earn a living by bringing produce to the city on his bike.

Day in day out Viazi makes the long ride to the village in order to get the produce he knows has a market in the city. The margins are small as he on sells to the sellers in town and they must also make their money. With a wide sack tied on the back of his bike Viazi knows he must ride very carefully and get off the road if a truck is coming. He does this with skill but one day a truck is travelling at speed and recklessly ploughs into the sack that Viazi is carrying. Viazi and his bike are catapulted forward, somersaulting over and over, causing massive injuries. The truck speeds on. Viazi lies there bloody and broken beside his crumpled bike. Thankfully a mini bus (daladala) has seen the “accident” and picks Viazi up and carries him to the town hospital. Thankfully again, Viazi has an uncle on the staff there so the usual bribes are done away with to admit him.

Two years late Viazi is still hobbling about but has just started trying to ride again. He has been supported by his uncle up to now but must try and make his way. Tanzanian law demands that a vehicle causing an accident like this should be impounded til the case is settled and compensation paid. The truck was seen on the road within two days and no compensation had some Viazi way. When I quizzed him on why he had not sought this I was told that the owner of the truck was a wealthy well connected man in town and that any attempt o fight him on this would see Viazi in deep trouble. This is the reason why Viazi may never make it out of poverty.

Where: Musoma, Tanzania

When: 1999.

Context: Yohana has an Aunty who has severe pain and needs him to take her to the hospital.

In Tanzania, when your Aunty calls, “no time right now” is never the answer you give. If she is sick and you are the number one cousin, or most nearby, it is your job to go to the Tanzanian bank i.e. to inform the relatives and to beg them to see how much they can find under the mattress, ‘cause that rainy day is here!’ Yohana did this well and found 20,000 shillings. Now the path to care must be walked. The minibus (daladala) to town was 1,000 shillings. The admitting nurse needed 2,000 (a bribe, though she is paid a wage) because she has her struggles too. The admitting doctor also wanted 2,000 shillings (a bribe, though he is also paid a wage). Yohana ran around town to buy surgical gloves, sutures and medicine for the operation, totalling 10,000 shillings. Having done this he returned to the hospital to negotiate with the operating doctor. He said he would settle on 8,000 shillings minimum as a combo deal of bribes and operating costs. After a long argument Yohana and the relatives gave up and brought Aunty home to try some traditional medicine. These are the means by which Yohana and his family may never bank on receiving good health care and may always be in poverty.