FCS Launches Giving Tuesday campaign to support Healthcare Workers 

Foundation for Civil Society has launched the Giving Tuesday campaign to support the protection of Healthcare workers in Tanzania. The focus of this year’s Campaign is the acquisition of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers in Tanzania as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. The Campaign invites stakeholders and the public to donate funds or PPE supplies (Masks, Gloves, Goggles, Coverall, Hand sanitizer and Hand soap) to healthcare workers who are at the frontlines of the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

The Campaign dubbed #TujikingeTuwakingeWahudumaWaAfya will run for two weeks from 21 April to 5 May 2020. At the peak of the Campaign equipment will be donated to the Medical Association of Tanzania (MAT) on 5 May 2020.

World Health Organization (WHO) reports that every month healthcare around the world needs PPEs which protect them and other patients against the spread of the coronavirus. But due to high global demand, many healthcare face shortages in acquiring the equipment. Since they protect the community, community members must come together in solidary to show gratitude and support towards fighting against the virus.

The Campaign is initiated under the Giving Tuesday a global movement launched in 2012 by the UN and New York’s 92nd Street, with the aim to celebrate kindness and generosity of giving to the less fortunate. The event has since been organised every year and celebrated worldwide by many countries, companies, businesses, schools, individuals, families and CSOs. FCS has been conducting the Giving Tuesday in Tanzania for 4 years as a way of promoting local philanthropy (local giving). Last year, the Campaign centred on supporting educational needs of 228 children with disabilities at the Matumaini Primary School in Dar es Salaam. It was estimated that the value of all the items donated, including the services provided by patrons on the day was over Sh9.5 million.

‘’We have observed the power of a community coming together to support those in need. We are proud to say, various stakeholders, CSOs, companies and individuals have contributed in different ways to various causes over the year. This year the Campaign is being conducted earlier from 21 April to 5 may 2020 as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. Our call is to the public to donate either funds through MPESA account no 0762767237 or bringing PPEs for health workers  to our FCS premises. The funds will be used to purchase the PPEs. On 5 May, we will hand over the purchased PPEs to MAT. We as a community must resolve to work together so that our frontline health workers who are stepping directly to aid the afflicted and help halt the virus’s spread do not become patients’ themselves’’, said Francis Kiwanga, FCS Executive Director.

Mr Kiwanga added that Healthcare workers care for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients. He said that now it is time as a community be unified and show our appreciation to healthcare workers. ‘’We are compelled to support healthcare workers as we are part of the community. Our role is to ensure that we are vigilant in fighting against the virus as well as supporting government efforts in the fight. We recently led efforts in the contribution of funds to the national action plan fighting against the virus. 10 CSOs contributed TZS 79 Million to the government’, he added

At a time when we are all experiencing the Pandemic, generosity is what brings people together. Generosity gives everyone power to make a positive change in the lives of others and is a fundamental value anyone can act on. During this Campaign, let us stand together to fight against the coronavirus.

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