The diversity of NGOs makes it difficult to generalize, yet all have common origins in an individual with a dream and the will to establish an organization capable of providing a vital service for oneself or others. Less common are shared perspectives on what constitutes a "vital service." In the development context, provision of services is seen as the officially sanctioned role of NGOs, whereas many prefer to see themselves also as human-rights advocates playing watchdog and visionary roles that often demand fundamental structural changes to redress injustice. Ironically these organizations often are highly politicized entities in spite of their claims of an independent and apolitical status. This is certainly the case with many NGOs in Tanzania and else-where that are supported by national, international, bilateral, and/or multilateral funders (for a succinct discussion of historical and contemporary NGOs in East Africa see Fowler (1995)). Some of these NGOs garner huge sums; approximately 20 of the largest and most powerful NGOs operate on multimillion-dollar annual budgets. The politicization of Tanzanian NGOs also is fostered by their dependence on the government's acceptance of their activities. Because many of the most effective NGOs are major conduits of expertise and agenda setting in today's emerging processes of global governance, this political influence also can extend well beyond the nation's borders.

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