Our Vision & Inspiration

Establish a sustainable 24-hour healthcare center and services, in the Kagera Region of Tanzania, that provides quality patient-focused affordable care and that cultivates an environment that enriches the community’s health & economic well-being.

Our Founder Dr. Mary Banda
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Meet Dr. Banda

Growing up in the Kagera region of Tanzania, I witnessed firsthand the lack of proper primary education and inaccessibility to general healthcare for the majority of the local residents. However, unlike many of my peers, I was able to attend private schools since my mother, Anastasia Rwechungura, was a school principal. In my household, my mother instilled in us the importance of education, hard work and demonstrating compassion to those that were less fortunate.
Due to my mother’s guidance and support, I was able to come to the U.S. to attend university and pursue my medical studies. As the only black student and one of few female students, the experience was not easy by any means, but I never quit because many sacrifices were made by my mother, my community and myself to pursue this opportunity.
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Once I completed my studies and residency, I was even more equipped with the professional training to give back to the community that contributed to my success. In 1998, I launched Jambo Tanzania when I led my first volunteer trip to Kagera, and I have never looked back. 
Jambo Tanzania has committed over 20 years of service to the residents of Kagera and we are not slowing down. We are in the process of establishing a 24-hour healthcare center with comprehensive services that will have a sustainable impact on the community. Click here to learn more about the Kashambya Hospital 

As we say in Tanzania, asante sana, thank you very much. 

- Dr. Mary Banda