The Umoja Centre

History

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For our first 14 years, Umoja operated from a modest rented residential house, which offered no benefits as we covered all maintenance costs, limiting our ability to make essential upgrades. Converted chicken coops served as classrooms, which were cramped, poorly ventilated, and served by a single outdoor toilet for all young people accessing our services.

Inadequate workspaces with limited meeting areas reduced productivity, highlighted by our Finance Manager's office being situated in an ensuite bathroom. Our growing sports programme used an open community field where we had to clear thorns and glass, with no goalposts or nets available. Performing arts were conducted on the septic tank cover, while cooking and dining took place outdoors.

 

New Opportunities

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After a year of discussions, negotiations, and careful planning, Umoja proudly announced in June 2019 that we had acquired a remarkable site and buildings in Sinoni, southwest of Arusha City. This semi-rural area is conveniently accessible from various parts of the city, making it an ideal location for Umoja and our beneficiaries.

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Spanning 2.6 acres, the main site features classrooms, offices, workshops, extracurricular areas, gardens, a sports hub, grounds, a library, and community meeting spaces, among other facilities. The nearby 2-acre second site includes a large walled compound with various accommodation options, a kitchen, and gardens. Beyond this area lies farmland and cow sheds that we plan to develop for future programmes.

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The site and buildings were developed by the Australian organisation Food Water Shelter Inc. (FWS) and served the community for over 10 years. Due to funding constraints, sadly programmes were phased out and FWS actively sought partners from 2017 onwards to rejuvenate the site.

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Umoja received support from two Rotary Clubs—Mont Albert and Surry Hills in Australia, and Braunton Caen in the UK—who raised funds enabling our move from a rented house to our new site in May 2023. Their contributions funded extensive sanitation improvements, including new toilets and a water tank. Moving day was a joyous occasion for us all!

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Umoja Tanzania and Branches Community Projects began their conversation in 2022 when Branches was in search of projects which had a high level of impact to a large population as well as a clear vision and path for the future.

 

Branches Community Projects has committed both financial contributions as well as project oversight, development, renovation, and delivery of the facility from 2023 until 2025. Within this time, Branches Community Projects and Umoja Tanzania will work hand in hand to deliver a renovated facility with contractors, suppliers, local government, and staff to create a facility which will usher in a new age for Umoja's presence for years to come.

 

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