Last week I visited my friend at his shop in the centre of Arusha. He wife was also in the shop. She works from home sewing curtains to sell here, it is a real family business. They are such a nice family with absolutely no problems. I escorted my friend’s wife home in the early afternoon and as we returned the house was ablaze. The concern, the panic was for my friend’s two daughters - aged four month and four years – they were trapped inside.

Four houses burnt down that afternoon.

We had happened was the babysitters boyfriend had visited. He had got upset, poured paraffin over himself and set himself alight. He died in hospital later that night. The babysitter died two days latter, and two days after this the four month old baby died from her burns. At the time of writing, little Brenda aged four, battles for her life.

There is no house insurance here – well not for our community. Everything was lost savings, clothes, furniture – everything.

This is all part of working voluntary and working at the grass root level. Everyday every week someone you know dies a tragic and unnecessary death.

It is not just the HIV/AIDS laying waste here it is everyday life. Usually it is just the lack of money that causes all these pointless deaths. I am tired, so tired of burying people here. So why do I tell you this - what is my point. How can you help, what can be done?

Visit Africa, come and visit us for a holiday. Use an operator whose profits actually help the community. Not some company with a halfhearted project but choose a company that is really helping at the grass roots – making a difference. Not a marketing ploy to make tourists feel better and the company richer. There are companies that exist to help the communities of Tanzania, in a proper manner. Not a safari company who helps occasionally in the community – but a safari operator whose sole purpose for existence is to benefit the community.

You can make a difference. You can make a difference directly. Spend an extra day or two working with in a community. Your safari company can organize this. It will change your life. It will change the lives of those you visit too. Don’t be shy; come share your time for a day or two before or after your safari. Really experience Africa – I dare you…