Australia Tanzania Society is the overarching organisation for our volunteer group based in Perth, Western Australia.

Australia Tanzania Society

About Us

Australia Tanzania Society (ATS) is registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission and as a Non-Government Organisation (NGO) in Tanzania.

ATS is a 100 per cent volunteer organisation. With no administrative costs, every dollar raised goes back to making life better for people in Tanzania. Our funding comes from a variety of sources, including sponsorship from individuals and companies in Australia and Tanzania, and through our annual fundraising event in Perth, Australia.

What We Do

ATS aims to provide support and capacity build in the areas of health care, education and child protection in Tanzania.
 

Rafiki Australia Tanzania
Since 2004, Rafiki has sent 2 – 3 volunteer teams to Tanzania each year, which have changed the lives of children and adults with conditions such as cleft lip, cleft palate and burns injuries. Rafiki also trains Tanzanian medical professionals and has linked with Muhimbili National Hospital and Muhimbili National University of Health and Allied Services to provide a pathway for Tanzanian Surgeons to obtain their Masters in Plastic Surgery and become fully-trained in plastic and reconstructive surgery. In addition to the surgeries and training, Rafiki also sends donated medical equipment to hospitals and clinics in Tanzania, including ambulances.
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PEC School Scholarships
Funded by sponsors, PEC School provides scholarships to promising students who would not be able to access quality education because their families are trapped in extreme poverty. Students are encouraged to apply at all year levels – from early primary school to the final years of primary school. PEC provides high-quality education that regularly ranks in the top 5% in Tanzania, so students are equipped with the skills to move on to their next level of education, and ultimately become leaders in their communities. By sponsoring a student you can help break the cycle of poverty for them and their families through the gift of a high quality education!
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Our Goals

To assist Tanzania’s health services by:

  • providing practical plastic reconstructive surgery;
  • stimulating interest in the importance and scope of reconstructive plastic surgery;
  • capacity building through teaching and training Tanzanian medical professionals; and
  • donating equipment to hospitals and medical facilities.

To advance education in Tanzania by:

  • assisting in the provision of facilities and infrastructure for education at schools and educational facilities; and
  • capacity building through training Tanzanian educational professionals.

To help the most underprivileged and vulnerable members of Tanzanian society especially orphaned children through sustainable infrastructure projects.

Our Board

Australia

DIDIER MURCIA, AM, CHAIRMAN
DIDIER MURCIA, AM, CHAIRMAN

Didier is a founding Director and Chairman of MPH Lawyers and holds a number of board positions on ASX listed companies. He was appointed the Honorary Consul for the United Republic of Tanzania in Australia in April 1997, a position he continues to hold, and founded ATS in 2004.

BRIGID CORRIGAN, DIRECTOR
BRIGID CORRIGAN, DIRECTOR

Brigid is a Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon and Head of Department of plastic surgery at Royal Perth Hospital. She also works in private practice based at St John of God Hospital, Subiaco.She has subspecialty interests in cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery and hand surgery. She has a strong involvement in the training of plastic surgery registrars. Brigid has been volunteering her expertise on Rafiki missions since 2010.

James Chialo, Director
James Chialo, Director

James obtained his Business Degree at Notre Dame University in Western Australia before returning to Tanzania to take on a senior role for a US NGO delivering health services in Tanzania. He has extensive experience in marketing, public relations, operational support and corporate social responsibility (CSR). He is our man on the ground in Tanzania, managing our projects and seeking new opportunities. 

Darren Gordon, Director
Darren Gordon, Director

Darren is a Chartered Accountant with 25 years’ experience in the mining industry as a senior finance and resources executive. Mr Gordon has had extensive involvement in financing resource projects from both a debt and equity perspective, including his previous position as Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary for Gindalbie Metals Limited.

Andrew Miller, Director
Andrew Miller, Director

Andrew is an Anaesthetist and former WA President of the Australian Medical Association. He also has a legal education which has led to involvement in governance and strategy for national 'not for profits'. Andrew has been volunteering on Rafiki Missions since 2009.

Shannon Dry, Director
Shannon Dry, Director

Shannon is a registered nurse with clinical experience in plastic surgical, burns and wound care, and management experience in a busy plastic surgery clinic including trauma care. She has been involved with more than 15 surgical nursing work placements to both Tanzania with Rafiki, and Laos with Interplast. She uses her experience in organising pre and post operative patient care, ward nursing of wounds, liaising with the communities, and providing ongoing guidance for continued care post surgery.

Julia Murcia, Director
Julia Murcia, Director

Julia is a photographer and media consultant. She has been volunteering for ATS since 2005 where she manages all of our media and communication requirements. Julia films and produces ATS’ fundraising and awareness videos and publications.  

Grant Pestell, Director
Grant Pestell, Director

Grant is a Director at MPH Lawyers and has 20 years’ experience in commercial litigation. He has been involved with ATS since its inception and continues to provide support through its fundraising and other activities.

James Savundra, OAM, Director
James Savundra, OAM, Director

James is a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon and former president of the Australian Institute of Plastic Surgeons. Since 2001 James and has been on voluntary missions to Tonga, Sri Lanka, Kiribati, Somalia, Papua New Guinea, Laos and the Philippines, as well as regular missions to Tanzania for Rafiki.

Mario Di Vincenzo, Company Secretary & Chief Financial Officer
Mario Di Vincenzo, Company Secretary & Chief Financial Officer

Mario is a Chartered Accountant and co-founding Partner of Plexus Global Condulatnats with nearly 20 years’ experience in public practice. He is a registered tax agent, self-managed superannuation fund auditor and has extensive experience in taxation, business consulting and business planning. Mario provides his services to a number of WA charities.  

How You Can Help

ATS is a 100 per cent volunteer-run organisation, we have no paid staff or administration overheads thanks to corporate support from MPH Lawyers and our team of more than 200 volunteers.

You can help through;

  • corporate support
  • by making a donation, by downloading the form here
  • attending our annual fundraising 'Rafiki Ball'
  • donating to the Rafiki Ball fundraising auctions
  • registering your interest to help pack containers of medical equipment
  • provide scholarships for under-privileged children to attend PEC School
  • Donate via Container for Change - Scheme ID: C10358424

Join our mailing list to keep up to date with our activities and events or email info@asanterafiki.com for more information.

News

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Habari Gani January 2021

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

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Habari Gani May 2020

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

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HABARI GANI RAFIKI NEWSLETTER 2020.jpg

Habari Gani January 2020

The latest news from ATS and Rafiki Australia Tanzania.

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Australia Tanzania Society

c/o Murcia Pestell Hillard Pty Ltd
Suite 183, Level 6
580 Hay Street
Perth, Western Australia 6000
P: +61 (0) 8 9221 0033
E: info@asanterafiki.com

James Chialo (Director)
Plot No. 431 Mahando Street
Msasani Peninsula, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
P: +255 744 806 783
E: info@asanterafiki.com

Registered Charity