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Events

Friends of Tanzania organizes and hosts several events each year, and also points its members to social and educational events being held by others that promote the goals and missions of FOT and/or celebrate Tanzania and its culture. While historically most events were in-person, events now include virtual/Zoom gatherings. The big event each year is the Annual Winter Party, usually in early February, which takes place in the Washington, D.C. area.

Upcoming Events

 

Weekly Swahili Discussions (Zoom Calls)

Date: Sundays

Time: 4:00 PM Eastern Time

If interested, please email swahili@fotanzania.org!


We will be setting up more virtual/Zoom events soon. Keep tabs of upcoming events by visiting the Website, or even better, by joining FOT. As an FOT member, you will be notified by email as events are scheduled.


Recent Events

Annual FOT Winter Party/Potluck In Person!

Date: Saturday, February 3, 2024
Time: 6 pm - 8 pm in Bethesda, MD -- In Person!

Place: Westmoreland Congregation Church in Bethesda, MD. 

We were excited to host this annual event again, and to share conversation, food and fun with all those who share our love for Tanzania.  Some food and non-alcohol beverages were provided. This was also a potluck event, so we had appetizers, salads, main dishes and desserts.


Virtual Winter Party

Date: Sunday, January 28, 2024 

Time: 4 pm Eastern Time

This virtual format allowed attendance from all over the country and the world. The gathering started off with a presentation introducing FOT's new Board members, a review of FOT's work over 2023, and a preview of plans and goals for 2024. Breakout rooms on various topics of interest followed the presentation. 


International Development Career Chat w/ Board Member Jim Flock - Virtual Event

Date - Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023 Time - 6:00 PM Eastern Time 

FOT Board Member Jim Flock spoke about his career in international development, and some of the takeaways from his experience in this field. This event was facilitated by Clayton Batko.  You can the recording of the event here.


Nyerere Day - Learn About Kiswahili - Virtual Event

Date and Time: Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, 6:00 PM Eastern Time 

This event celebrated Nyerere Day by learning about Kiswahili, the national language of Tanzania, and was facilitated by Rehema Majollo and Melissa Matwitg. You can the recording of the event here.


Happy Hour -  In Person Event at Swahili Village in DC

Date and Time; Sunday, August 20, 2023, 5 pm - 7 pm

Place: Swahili Village - The Consulate

Over 20 attendees, including two newly accepted Peace Corps Volunteers who will be heading to Tanzania in September.  The food and conversation fabulous. 


2023 Annual Winter Party/Pot Luck Dinner --  This event was in person for the first time since 2021!    

Date and Time: Saturday, February 4, 2023 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm.
Place: Westmoreland Congregational Church, 1 Westmoreland Cir NW, Bethesda, MD


Virtual Winter Party -- Sunday, January 29, 2023  

Time: 2pm - 3pm ET/ 1pm - 2pm CT/ 12pm - 1pm MT/ 11am - 12pm PT

This virtual format included about 25 attendees from all over the country and the world. The gathering will started with a presentation introducing FOT's new Board members, reviewing FOT's work over 2022, and previewing things to come in 2023.  Following the presentation, breakout rooms were held on various topics of interest.


Making a Difference in Rural Tanzania: How FOT Uses Donations to Fund Sustainable Development Projects

Over 35 people viewed this informative presentation, held on December 3, 2022. Clay Batko, the Chair of FOT's Projects Committee, provided an overview of how FOT selects, reviews, approves, funds and monitors projects in rural Tanzania. You can the recording of the event here.  


Prosperity in Rural Africa? Changes over time in Tanzanian Villages

Do statistics on Tanzania’s growth tell the full story about their urban/rural divide?

If you missed this great event, held on June 25, 2022, you can watch in on YouTube here.


FOT's Spring Picnic -- in person!!  Sunday, May 22

Friends of Tanzania held our first in-person get together in over 2 years!! Over 25. FOT members, supporters, friends and family gathered for a picnic at Rock Creek Park in D.C. The potluck affair included several Tanzania and East Africa dishes -- vitumbua, sambusa, chapati and samosas -- as well as fresh avocados – mparachichi and mangos – maembe.  We flew the Tanzania flag, had a great game of corn hole and nail biting giant Jenga match!  Keep an eye out for information about our next in person event!


Return Peace Corps Volunteers – Tanganyika I and II Reunion

May 2022 – South Lake Tahoe

As reported in a great article in the Fall 2022 Newsletter, 13 RPCVs who served in the first group of volunteers in Tanzania, then known as Tanganyika, gathered in South Lake Tahoe for a reunion this past May. Joining the event in person was Glenn Blumhorst, former President and CEO of the NPCA.  Two very informative guests appeared via video. The remarks of Honorable Liberata Mulamula, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and former Ambassador to the US, can be viewed here.  The presentation by Dr. Frances Vavrus, Professor of Education, Univ. of Minnesota, and expert on education in Tanzania, can be viewed here.


Friends of Tanzania Speaker Series -- collaboration with Tanzania Development Trust (TDT)

President Samia’s first year in office – a new direction for Tanzania? An informal discussion on the impact of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s first year in office. Held on March 19, 2022

If you missed this great event, you can watch in on the Tanzania Development YouTube channel here.


2022 Annual Winter Party -- Saturday, February 5, 2022

This virtual celebration was attended by more than 70 members and guests from across the US and multiple international locations.Recordings of the Winter Party can be accessed through these links:


Friends of Tanzania Educational Scholar Series

  • DR. LAWRENCE MBOGONI -- October 16, 2021, Saturday. “The History of the Peace Corps in Tanzania: Progress on a Book in Development” To watch the video of Professor Mbogoni's presentation CLICK HERE
  • ALLEN RUGAMBWA -- October 23, 2021, Saturday. "Development in Tanzania: Where Will It Do the Most Good?” To watch a video of Mr. Rugambwa's presentation CLICK HERE
  • DR. FRANCES VAVRUS -- November 6, Saturday. “Teacher Education in Tanzania” To watch a video of Dr. Vavrus' presentation CLICK HERE

More details about the scholars can be found on HERE.


30th Anniversary Virtual Event -- September 18, 2021

This Celebration was held via Zoom and attended by well over 60 guests! Check out the 30th Anniversary page.


2021 Winter Party - Virtual February 6, 2021

The 2021 Winter Party held via Zoom and attended by over 80 guests! To download the event slideshow, click here.


Swahili Zoom Calls for speakers at various levels June - November 2021

Began in early June 2020 and continuing weekly!! Taught by Melissa Mattwig, RPCV-TZ


Documentary IN THE NAME OF YOUR DAUGHTER! August 25, 2020

In 2014 FOT partnered with the Tanzania Development Trust to help construct a safe house and vocational training center in the Mara Region of Tanzania to offer refuge for young women wishing to avoid female genital mutilation and cutting. This documentary award-winning, inspiring, hopeful documentary tells the story about this safe house.


Zoom Call with Evacuated Peace Corps Volunteers - May 2020

A Zoom call in early May 2020 hosted jointly with National Peace Corps Association in which 20 Peace Corps Volunteers that had been evacuated from Tanzania were able to re-connect and learn more about FOT and NPCA.


2020 Winter Party

The 2020 Winter Party held in Bethesda and attended by almost 100 guests.


Happy Hour October 2019

A Happy Hour in October 2019 attended by an number of recently returned Peace Corps Volunteers, several FOT members, and others with connections to and interest in Tanzania.

2024 Winter Party

2023 Happy Hour

2023 Winter Party

2022 Spring Picnic