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Write to: The Editor, Arusha Times, P.O. Box 212, Arusha.
E-mail:
arushatimes@habari.co.tz
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What with AIDS tourism
- Dear Editor,
I couldn't agree more with the views of your reader (Shafiq Ali) on the
emergence of HIV/AIDS tourism among donor agencies and NGOs in Tanzania and
elsewhere. An excellent case in point is the event due to start this week in
Bangkok, where more 'delegates' are expected from around the world than
there were football supporters at the recent Euro 2004 event in Portugal.
The event is worthy in its intentions, with the central theme being 'access to
all' for antiretroviral drug therapy. The implication is that those who attend
the Bangkok conference will play a leading role in providing access to all who
need these life-saving anti-HIV drugs. The reality is quite different. Oxfam,
for instance, is an agency which channels funds to NGOs and other
organizations to run worthy activities. It is staffed by project
administrators. Yet this organization has rented a hotel in Bangkok for ten
days to accommodate no fewer than twenty five of its staff members. If they
were all doctors one could see the point but they are actually bureaucrats who
don't know the difference between a t-cell lymphocyte and a t-bone steak. And
why is a small Tanzanian NGO like the Tanga AIDS Working Group sending THREE
of its staff members to Bangkok at enormous cost?
Let's face it, while many people in Tanzania are incurably ill with an acute
viral infection, there are others who are manipulating donor funds intended
for the benefit of sick people to engage in what can only be described as AIDS
tourism for personal enjoyment, financial benefit and self-aggrandisement.
This is reprehensible and should be stopped.
Perhaps the theme of the Bangkok conference should be 'excess for all.'
Dr. Svetlana Crook
Dar es Salaam
svetlana
Crook@hotmail.com
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After hiking the price, give us more!
Dear Editor,
I sincerely congratulate you and your team for the excellent work you are doing
in providing us with news. However, I have 3 things to spice the newspaper.
ONE: The price hike for a copy of Arusha Times, from Tsh200 to Tsh. 300, to me
it is too high unless you increase the number of pages, raise the paper quality
and colour the pictures.
TWO: It seems that fewer copies are printed compared to the number of readers.
If one misses to buy a copy on Saturday or Sunday one is likely to wait for the
following issue. Please see to it that you print more.
THREE: Life is not just about serious matters, see to it that the paper brings
us laughs and smiles through humorous anecdotes, cartoons, jokes and
light-hearted articles. I congratulate the Dark Side despite the fact that
sometimes it appears too dark.
Your regular reader,
Ms. Victoria S.S. Mushi.
(teacher-Ilboru Sec. School)
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Wake up with gun shots in Arusha
Dear Editor,
I am a concerned resident residing in Kanisa street barely 60 meters from the
Arusha Times's office at AICC.
Last Friday morning while we were having our breakfast we got a fright of our
lives when we heard three very load gun shots in Kanisa street, next to our home
near Gymkhana Club. After investigating on why the peace in our area was so
rudely disturbed on such a peaceful morning we learned that these were officials
instructed to kill the monkeys that roam our area. Two monkeys were shot dead.
In the area of Gymkhana Club being one of the few areas in Arusha where all of
the big trees have not yet been chopped down, wild monkeys find refuge and
protection.
On a enquiry to why these monkey are been hunted we learned that some people in
our area complained that their crops were being destroyed by the monkeys. We
were astounded to lean this because this happen to be a residential area and not
an agricultural area.
We also know that most domestic attempts regarding a vegetable garden in this
area will be affected by the monkeys. But is this enough reason to kill them?
They however never eat all the crops because they are too few anyway. The
monkeys always tend to leave some vegetables and crops for human consumption.
You see, we all should have a place in the sun. Humans and animals alike.
Our view on this matter however is that people living in this area should look
after their gardens and nature (including the monkeys, birds, chameleons,
butterflies etc.) and buy their vegetables and fruit from the ladies that sell
their produce on Old Moshi Road opposite the Greek Club. This will support local
business and protect the monkeys.
Following this simple rule we all win in the end. Humans and animals.
Please leave our monkeys in peace!
Concerned resident of Arusha.
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