TATO donates over 100 million TZS to support heart surgery for Children born with heart complications in Tanzania
By Elirehema Maturo
Photo: Standing on the photo from left to right: First left Ms. Irene Mbonde (Marketing officer JKCI, second is Dr. Tatizo Waane, Director of Cardiology from JKCI, followed by TATO Chairman Mr. Willbard Chambulo and the first standing from the righthand side is Mr. Abdularahman Muya from JKCI.
The Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) has made significant strides in fundraising to cover the costs of heart surgeries for children born with congenital heart defects, to be performed at the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI). TATO members were profoundly moved by the financial challenges faced by local families unable to afford these critical procedures. Upon learning of this pressing need from JKCI, the association promptly took action to mobilize resources from its members.
Mr. Willbard Chambulo, Chairman of TATO, expressed heartfelt gratitude to members for their generous contributions, totaling 101,932,080 TZS, to support these children. "We are proud to present these funds to JKCI through its 'Heart Team Africa' foundation. We are confident that these children and their families will receive timely medical assistance, and with God’s grace, they will grow up to become future leaders of our nation."
The funds were formally handed over during a ceremony commemorating Nyerere Day, held at the Gran Melia Arusha on October 14, 2024. Dr. Tatizo Waane, the Director of Cardiology at JKCI, thanked TATO for its responsiveness and for raising such a substantial amount, which will assist at least 20 to 30 children with heart conditions. JKCI committed to using these funds to save the lives of needy children and to enhancing the ongoing cooperative relationship with TATO as new collaboration opportunities arise.
Ms. Irene Mbonde, a Marketing Officer with JKCI, informed TATO members that this partnership has paved the way for future joint projects and events. She mentioned that JKCI is planning an international conference for the World Cardiac Forum in 2026, where they aim to collaborate with TATO to host the event in Arusha. "This is just the beginning of our collaborative efforts. There are numerous opportunities ahead for promoting medical tourism in Tanzania," Ms. Irene noted.
TATO established in 1983 with merely 35 members, thanks to the efficiency of the association in representing private tour operators to the government, the membership base has grown by leaps and bounds over the years, reaching 300 plus members to-date.
This is equivalent to 78.48 percent of the total licensed tour operators in Tanzania, the home of the number one safari destination in the world. The association is one of the most credible tourism body in East Africa’s tourism which is an affiliate member of the UN Tourism previously known as UNWTO
For more image about the event please click here