Charity
I have been involved in various charity projects in Musoma, Tanzania, my birthplace, since 2002. I have been fortunate to receive generous support from the dental community, particularly from the AOG (now known as Dental Link), fellow dentists, my vocational trainee students (from the University of London between 2005–2014), and the Tanzania Development Trust. We also gratefully acknowledge contributions from many patients of our dental practice.
Our flagship project is the Lake Victoria Disability Centre (LVDC), located in Nyabangi (now part of Musoma). This initiative began with the support of AOG, who purchased 7.5 acres of land and donated it to the LVDC, which was founded by a local engineer, Dennis Mahina. With the help of our partners from Scotland, Ireland, Netherlands, Germany to name a few, what started as a small initiative has now grown into a flourishing centre for vocational training and education for people with disabilities.
As I approach the later years of my life - and in light of the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic - we have decided to discontinue organizing volunteer trips to run the dental clinic in Musoma. Consequently, we have donated dental equipment to a private dentist in Musoma and to the Aga Khan Dispensary in Bunda.
To date, we have invested approximately £400,000 across various projects in Musoma. Although we have scaled back our direct involvement, we are proud to report that, with continued support from partners, the LVDC remains vibrant and active with its multidisciplinary programs.
The complex aerial view
LVDC- complex of 20 buildings
AOG House
Dental Department
Artificial limb being fitted
Disabled wheelchair made from bicycle parts
Classroom for disabled children
- P1: Refurbished toilet block and library at Iringo (formerly Nanakchand) School – £9,250
- P2: Provided electricity and furniture to Mukendo (formerly Aga Khan) School – £9,250
- P3: Refurbished dental unit at Musoma Hospital – £5,000
- P4: Started resuscitation unit at Musoma Hospital – £25,000 (plus local funding)
- P5: Extended Lake Victoria Disability Centre (LVDC) – £25,000
- P6: Supplied books for a church library – £500
- P7: Part-funded vehicle for LVDC to transport people with disabilities – £5,000
- P8: Part-funded vehicle for GOMAD (an Anglican Church initiative) to transport sick children – £3,000
- P9 (2012): Purchased 7.5-acre plot for the new LVDC – £30,000
- P10: Contributed towards building accommodation for volunteers – £5,000
- P11 (2014): Supplied dental equipment for Shirati and LVDC – £10,000
- P12: Donated a portable dental unit, shared with GOMAD, for rural use – £5,000
- P13: Installed a solar-powered well to supply fresh water to LVDC – £7,000
- P14 (2016): Installed a new dental unit and upgraded equipment across departments – £80,000
- P15 (2020): Donated approximately £5,000 to the Tanzania Development Trust for anti-FGM initiatives
- P16 (2024): Built shelters for bodaboda (motorcycle taxi
