Rafiki Australia Tanzania is part of the Australia Tanzania Society, an Australian and Tanzanian non-government organisation.

Rafiki's mission is to help Tanzania deal with its reconstructive surgery needs whilst at the same time assist in capacity building through the transfer of surgical, anaethestic, physiotherapy and nursing skills to medical professional in Tanzania.

In an effort to help alleviate severe shortages in medical and hospital equipment, Rafiki also aims to provide much-needed equipment to hospitals and medical facilities in Tanzania.

News

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Habari Gani May 2020

Click read more for all the latest news from ATS and Rafiki.

Read more May, 2020

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Habari Gani January 2020

Click read more for all the latest news from ATS and Rafiki.

Read more January, 2020

About Us

While Australians who are born with or develop disfiguring deformities, or those who suffer burns injuries can access treatment almost immediately, in Tanzania most sufferers can be forced to endure a lifetime of pain and alienation.

Working alongside our Tanzanian colleagues, our volunteer surgical teams are giving people the chance to access the treatment they need to live the best life possible.

Since 2004, Rafiki’s teams of volunteer surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and allied health professionals have been travelling to Tanzania to perform up to 80 free operations during each visit. A baby’s cleft can be repaired to not only improve speech, but to alleviate the alienation they may have been subjected to. A burn injury on a young man that has contracted can be released to reinstate function and help them on the road to employment.

Training is a major focus for Rafiki and, in addition to transferring skills through hands on participation in surgeries, we have worked with Tanzania’s National Hospital and Medical University to deliver a Master’s Degree Course in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; the first of its kind in the country. In 2022, our first students, the first fully qualified Tanzanian Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons to complete their study in-country, graduated with flying colours. With a new intake of new students this year, Rafiki is playing a major role in supporting Tanzania’s capacity building in this specialist area.

The Australian and Tanzanian teams work collaboratively across the health services and benefit from skill building in anaesthetics, nursing and allied health care, like therapy, to round out the holistic care needed for these complex cases.

Rafiki is a volunteer-run organisation with all administrative costs absorbed through the efforts of our volunteers and every dollar raised goes directly to our work in Tanzania. Our funding comes from a variety of sources, including sponsorship from organisations in Australia and Tanzania, personal and corporate donations, and of course through our annual fundraising event, the Rafiki Ball.

Download the Asante Book for more information.

About Us

Surgical Trips

Our teams have undertaken 36 surgical trips to Mwanza and Dar es Salaam. Volunteer surgeons, anaesthetists and nurses perform up to 80 operations during each two-week mission, and therspists work with patients post-operatively. Local doctors, nurses and therpists also benefit from our collaboration with the host hospitals, working alongside our medical team building their own skills in this specialised area of re-constructive surgery.

 

Medical Equipment

Medical Equipment

In addition to the surgeries and training, Rafiki also sends medical equipment to Tanzania that would otherwise go to waste in Australia. Since 2010, we have packed and shipped 56 containers for distribution to hospitals and medical centers. Rafiki has also donated 14 ambulances to hospitals throughout Tanzania. The replacement cost of this equipment exceeds $10,000,000.

Our Team

Our Volunteers

Everyone involved with Rafiki is a volunteer and volunteers are the reason for Rafiki's success and growth. They are also the reason Rafiki manages to operate with zero administrative costs as they generously donate their time to provide help for people in Tanzania. We are proud to say that more than 200 people give their time and energy to support our cause.

Our Sponsors

Rafiki receives no Government funding and relies entirely on the support of its volunteers and sponsors to make a difference. Some of our key sponsors are listed below:

Tanzanite

Gold

Silver

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Contact Us

Rafiki Surgical Missions

c/o MPH Lawyers
Suite 183, Level 6
580 Hay Street
Perth, Western Australia 6000
P: +61 (0) 8 9221 0033