By Veronica Mrema
The sky over Dar es Salaam was calm, and in the distance to the east I could see the sun beginning to rise. It was early at dawn; I was already at the daladala station, ready to begin my journey.
The bustle of a new day had started. Many people were on the streets it was morning already. I boarded a daladala heading to the city center.
I arrived safely and entered the grounds of Azania Secondary School (Boys). I greeted the security guard and then headed to the area prepared for us for a special event that had brought us there.
I saw Dr. Kanza, my colleague from the Sickle Cell Disease Patients Community of Tanzania. We greeted each other and she informed me,
“Welcome, but you are a bit late. We have just come from the assembly after speaking to the students, but the school administration asked us to wait until around nine o’clock to begin our event.”
I laughed a little and told her, “This is our city, Doctor. You wake up early and still arrive late.” We both laughed and continued chatting about various things.
We were seated on a bench in the compound. Shortly after, about five young men arrived and sat on a nearby bench.
One of them was wearing glasses. We saw them discussing something among themselves. Then the one with glasses approached where we were seated.
He greeted us, and after we responded, he asked, “Can we start donating blood now? My friends and I are ready to volunteer.”
Dr. Kanza replied, “You are most welcome, but we will need to wait a little. Our colleagues are on their way with equipment from Muhimbili National Hospital [MNH].”
The smart young man nodded with a smile, then returned to his friends and informed them. They appeared to agree to wait a little and left, promising to return once we began.
We continued with our conversation. A few minutes later, officers from the Eastern Zone Blood Transfusion Services [EZBTS-MNH] arrived and began their preparations.
They were accompanied by the Director of Bone and Blood Foundation, Neema Mohamed, who told us, “Now we are starting our event.”
I then saw the same young men returning to the venue and becoming part of the first group to donate blood. I decided to call the young man with glasses.
“You appear to be a brave and disciplined young man. Congratulations for donating blood,” I told him, and he received the compliment warmly.
M24 TANZANIA: I am Veronica Mrema, a professional journalist, and also the Public Relations and Communications Officer for the Sickle Cell Disease Patients Community of Tanzania.
YOUNG MAN: Oh! I am pleased to meet you. My name is Godfrey James, a student here at Azania. I am very happy that you came to our school today. We received education about Sickle Cell and were encouraged to donate blood.
M24 TANZANIA: Why do you think I chose to interview you and not the others?
JAMES: No, I was actually very surprised, and I would like to know why.
M24 TANZANIA: You came with your friends very early, even before the equipment arrived. You were eager to donate blood. I admired your courage and readiness. You have shown a different attitude from many young people who are often afraid to step forward.
JAMES: Personally, it has been my dream for many years to become a blood donor one day. When our teacher informed us about your visit, I was very encouraged and started motivating my friends not to hesitate to volunteer.
M24 TANZANIA: A dream for many years? What do you mean?
JAMES: When I was still young and beginning to understand things, one of our neighbors passed away during childbirth. I heard people saying she died due to excessive blood loss. I began asking myself many questions can someone really run out of blood? One day I asked my mother, and she confirmed that it can happen.
As I grew older, I developed a love for news and films. At home, my father often watches ITV, and we watch the news together. I would see doctors encouraging people to donate blood to save lives. I became inspired.
There was also a film I once watched that showed a similar situation where people donated blood to save someone’s life, and it succeeded. That strengthened my motivation even more. One day I told my mother to take me to the hospital so I could donate blood.
M24 TANZANIA: Were you still underage at that time, or had you reached 18, which is the recommended age for voluntary blood donation?
JAMES: [Smiling] I was still young. I was just motivated. My mother told me I had not yet reached the required age, so I needed to wait. I prayed to God to help me reach that age.
When I was 17 and had just started school here at Azania, an organization came. I spoke with a doctor and explained my desire. He told me that since I was close to the required age, they would check my weight and hemoglobin level to determine if I qualified. That is when I learned that weight and blood level are also considered.
They found that I met the requirements and gave me the opportunity. I was extremely happy that day. So this is now my second time donating blood, and I am even happier because I have now turned 18. My joy is that the intention I had since childhood to help save someone’s life has been fulfilled. I thank God very much.
M24 TANZANIA: Congratulations. Now I understand why you were the first to arrive here with your friends. You must have made great efforts to encourage them.
JAMES: That is true. I have been talking to them since our teacher informed us of your visit. I spoke to more than 30 students. Many were afraid because of misinformation about blood donation. They asked many questions.
One told me that if you donate blood, you will run out of it and die. Another said you would become sick frequently. I told them to look at me I have donated blood and nothing bad has happened. I explained that you are not simply drained of blood. You are counseled first, your weight and blood levels are checked.
I also shared the story of our neighbor and explained the benefits of being a voluntary donor, including receiving a donor card that can help you if you ever need assistance. The five you saw are among those who were motivated. I believe the others will continue to learn and eventually make the decision too.
JAMES: Yes, I am the school president others call me the head prefect.
M24 TANZANIA: Oh! Congratulations. So am here with Honorable President. [we smiling]
JAMES: Thank you very much.
M24 TANZANIA: What about the Sickle Cell disease awareness you received today?
JAMES: We received it well. The doctor explained clearly how a child is born with Sickle Cell disease that both parents must carry the gene. He emphasized the importance of early testing to know our genetic status.
Because someone who carries the Sickle Cell trait cannot be identified by appearance they do not fall sick. If you test early, when you reach the stage of choosing a spouse, you are advised that your partner should also be tested.
M24 TANZANIA: You seem to have understood the lesson very well. Tell me, what are your future dreams? Who do you want to become in society?
JAMES: I want to become a journalist. Also an entrepreneur and a big businessman.
M24 TANZANIA: Often young people with your vision tell me they want to be doctors, but you are different. Why those fields?
JAMES: I want to be a voice for the voiceless. I love business because I am learning from my family many around me are hardworking people.
M24 TANZANIA: Do you have role models you follow?
JAMES: Yes. I admire Godfrey Monyo my namesake for the way he reports on ITV; I watch him to learn. I also follow big business leaders like Bakhresa and Mo closely. I believe one day I will achieve my dreams.
M24 TANZANIA: What is your message to young people, the community, stakeholders, and the Government?
JAMES: I encourage young people not to fear donating blood when called upon. Sickle Cell awareness is also very important before deciding to marry go to the hospital and test your genetic status.
To the community parents and guardians I urge you to monitor your children and continue giving them proper guidance. Help them access accurate information when they have questions.
To film producers, please continue including education about various diseases in your work. Society should also give children time to learn not only cartoons. They deserve to be happy, but they also need a strong educational foundation, including health education.
To the Government, I request continued collaboration with stakeholders to expand Sickle Cell education and blood donation campaigns so that our relatives in hospitals who need blood can be helped and lives can be saved.
M24 TANZANIA: Thank you very much, James, for participating in this interview. I wish you great success in your studies.
JAMES: Thank you for interviewing me. I am very happy. My message will now reach the wider community. You are welcome again and again to Azania Boys.
Chapisha Maoni