<p>In October 2011, I'm going to Tanzania with Voluntary Services Overseas to help development through business and enterprise with BEST-AC. Over 18 months I'll be sharing my skills to encourage entrepreneurship, ensure the sustainability of organisations such as the Women Miner's Association and work with government on making Tanzanian business competitive globally. This is really important as economic development is crucial for a developing country such as Tanzania. I'm keeping a <a title="Lesley's Tanzania blog" href="http://lesleyintanzania.wordpress.com/">blog</a> whilst I'm away, which you're welcome to follow.<br /><br />Some statistics about Tanzania. It is one of the oldest known inhabited areas on Earth with a population of around 44 million. Life expectancy is 54 for men and 56 for women (compared to 78 and 82 in the UK). Forty five percent of the population is under 14 and only 55% of people have access to clean water. The infant mortality rate is 65 per 1000 live births (it's 5 in the UK). The leading cause of death in children is malaria and adults is HIV/AIDS. In the UN's Human Development Index (which is a way of measuring development by combining indicators of life expectancy, educational attainment and income), Norway tops the list and Liberia is at the bottom (162). Tanzania comes pretty low down at 148.<br /><br />Please help me to raise some money for VSO. Due to government cut backs, volunteers are now asked to fundraise so that this important work is continued. On average it costs &pound;25,000 a year to train and send a volunteer overseas, so this is a small contribution towards sending other professionals like myself. The money will not go to my placement but to the organisation in order to fund future placements in 44 of the world&rsquo;s poorest countries. For example, &pound;900 can help VSO keep a nurse in Sierre Leone for 6 months, educating local health workers and communities to combat malnutrition, malaria and dysentery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Nepal it can support a teacher trainer establish access to good education for the poorest children.<br /><br />In addition, I'm holding a fundraising and farewell party for the Chippy Lippys networking group I founded in 2006 which is on 7th September - <a title="Chippy Lippys: Lesley's Farewell" href="http://www.chippylippys.com/pages/events.php">more details here</a>. You're very welcome to join us.<br /><br />Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page and for your donation. It makes a big difference in the developing world.<br /><br />Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It&rsquo;s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Voluntary Service Overseas gets your money faster and, if you&rsquo;re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation. For all my international friends you should be able to contribute using your credit cards.</p>