In each of these cases, the companies and donors involved have said their contributions were not tied to winning specific favors from the government.

But recovering Tanzania's two lost decades will take another decade, foreign donors say.

"He wanted to stay and continue what he was doing, to be a strong influence," one significant donor to the museum said.

She said the donor would not give his reasons for the gifts or say how much he had spent.

But many donors say they benefit, too, by saving a loved one's life.

"We wanted to give something back," said the donor, who asked to remain anonymous.

The money spigot is likely to remain nearly closed until the security situation improves, many donors said.

What the donors are saying is that a number of areas must be addressed.

That more people are in need is clear, but donors said their decision to give was often the outcome of mixed impulses.

Giving donors more say, through the federations, is at the heart of the push for change.