Press Releases

Ambassador Mark Green warmly welcomed to Arusha and Kilimanjaro Regions

October 5, 2007

U.S. Ambassador Mark Green visited Kilimanjaro Region October 2-4. During the visit, he met hundreds of Tanzanians and was able to visit many U.S. Government funded projects. Among the highlights of his trip was his first official meeting with Sheikh Issa Shaban Simba, Chief Mufti of the National Muslim Council of Tanzania (BAKWATA), who was also visiting Arusha.

Sheikh Simba received Ambassador Mark Green at Bondeni Muslim Secondary in Arusha, along with other BAKWATA leaders. During his remarks, Sheikh Simba officially welcomed Mark Green as the new Ambassador to Tanzania on behalf of all Muslims of Tanzania. Sheikh Simba told Ambassador Green that “BAKWATA will be very grateful to strengthen its good relations with the U.S. Government, especially in projects that will enable BAKWATA to help many people to escape from poverty.”

Ambassador Green also met with several Vice Chancellors and Directors of Universities and Colleges in the region, as well as alumni of U.S.-sponsored educational exchange programs. On October 3, he spoke to hundreds of students at Mount Meru University on the topic of “Responsible Leadership in Contemporary Society.” After his speech, the students engaged the Ambassador in a lively conversation about qualities of leaders.

Additionally, the Ambassador learned about the many development projects in the region sponsored by the U.S. Government. He visited a local coffee farm, and a health clinic that works to prevent malaria, which are both sponsored by U.S. Government funds. Ambassador Green visited a factory that has made some of the more than 2.5 million Insecticide Treated Nets distributed to pregnant women through an innovative malaria control program funded by the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative. Near Moshi, he visited a U.S.-sponsored Public Expenditure Tracking System (PETS) community bulletin board in Mabugeni village, and was presented with a gift from local school children. PETS encourages local communities to become more engaged in debate and discussion about spending priorities. This ensures that decisions about how resources are used will better reflect the needs of impoverished and marginalized groups. He also visited a Peace Corps Volunteer (one of 150 PCVs throughout the country) and officials at the Umbwe Secondary School near Moshi.