FDCO (Fight Dementia and Care Organization)
Fight dementia and care organization (FDCO) is a registered NGO working on the Tanzania mainland. It was registered on 17th August 2018 and is based in Arusha.
FDCO works to increase timely and accurate diagnosis and timely post-diagnostic care and treatment for older people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
FDCO is facilitating memory clinics in five hospitals in Tanzania: Muhimbili national referral hospital (Dar es Salaam region); Mount Meru regional referral hospital (Arusha region); Sekuo Toure regional referral hospital (Mwanza region); Manyara regional referral hospital (Manyara region); Bunda regional referral hospital (Mara region).
FDCO also facilities dementia friendly communities in rural and urban areas in Tanzania. This promotes healthy aging brains within the aging population so as to create dementia free communities, in an effort of reducing people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in Tanzania.
AMRCO (Anderson Memorial Rehabilitation & Care Organization)
Anderson Memorial Rehabilitation & Care Organization (AMRCO) a Tanzanian community-based organization, in providing rehabilitation, care, and advocacy for elders and children with disabilities. Operating since 2008 in Tanzania Kilimanjaro Region, AMRCO addresses systemic gaps in healthcare, education, and social inclusion for marginalized groups, guided by values of integrity, transparency, and empowerment.AMRCO delivers home-based and community-focused care through a network of volunteers, supported by families and led by Grace A Saria founder. Services such as geriatric rehabilitation, counselling, Palliative, hospice care, social, economic, cultural life skills training are offered.Its governance includes a General Assembly, an elected board, and a secretariat managing daily operations.
Mission and Vision: AMRCOs vision is to lead in protecting the welfare of disadvantaged groups, ensuring access to education, healthcare, and nutrition. Its mission emphasizes creating a safe, loving environment through participatory empowerment and education.
Key Services and Impact Rehabilitation Therapy: Provides physical and emotional support to elders and children with disabilities (e.g., spinal injuries, dementia, Parkinson’s), offering adaptive tools (wheelchairs, tailor machines) and skills training.Palliative, Hospice and Home Health Care: Focuses on palliative care, psychosocial support, and medical assistance for terminally ill patients, prioritizing dignity and comfort.
Community Outreach: Collaborates with government, schools, rural faith-based communities to identify beneficiaries, trains family members and care takers, and advocates for inclusive education and disability rights.
Research: AMRCO plays a pivotal role in fostering meaningful community engagement during geriatrics research by leveraging its grassroots expertise, trust-based relationships and participatory approach.
Facilitate Trust & Access: As a locally rooted organization, AMRCO building bridge gaps between researchers and communities, using its established networks (government village leaders, families) to gain trust, secure participation, and ensure cultural sensitivity.
Co-Design Research with communities: Conduct advisory board meetings. Involve elders, caregivers, in shaping research questions, methods, and goals. For example, host participatory workshops to identify priority issues and validate tools like banana pictures, Market, mountain etc.
Train Community Members as Co-Researchers: AMRCO equip volunteers, advisory board members with skills to collect data, conduct interviews, or lead focus groups. This empowers locals, ensures contextually relevant insights, and sustains engagement.
Advocate for Ethical Practices: Ensure informed consent, confidentiality, and reciprocity. AMRCO can advocate for fair compensation (e.g., transport reimbursements, meals) and guarantee findings are shared back through community forums
Address Logistical Challenges: Leverage AMRCO ’s knowledge of rural areas in Moshi to navigate geographic barriers (e.g., arranging transport to remote villages) and align research timelines with community rhythms (e.g., avoiding harvest seasons, political votes days etc.).
Link Research to Action: AMRCO will translate findings into tangible outcomes, such as co-designing community-led interventions (e.g., community meetings clinics, stigma-reduction campaigns) or advocating for policy changes based on local voices. By centering community voices and prioritizing mutual benefit, AMRCO ensures research is not just about the community but with and for it, driving sustainable impact.
Akili Mali, Tanzania 