“We make a living by what we get; we make life by what we give”
(Wiston Churchhill)
We are exceptionally honored and deeply humbled to invite you to the site you are currently visiting - The Umoja wa Kusaidiana Ukonga.
Umoja wa Kusaidiana Ukonga, is literally translated in English to mean “a society of people helping each other”. Based in Ukonga Ilala District Dar-es-salaam and commonly known by its acronym “KUWAMA” it opened its doors on 13.02.1990. On that date, its interim constitution was approved by about 25 members but could not immediately be pursued for registration by its leaders for want of experimental management, operations and results processes that took a considerable period of time to be guaranteed. At the time of its official registration with the Ministry of Home Affairs on 28th January 2004 its membership had grown to 150, the figure which the Society has consistently maintained. Replacement of members who lost their membership for a number of reasons remained a key issue.
KUWAMA’s official boundaries from which members can be drawn fall within the following description:-
“A straight line from Msimbazi valley (Karakata), to coastal steel (Kipawa) up to TAZARA Railway, then parallel with the railway line till near to the end of Tanzania Peoples Defence Forces (Gongo la Mboto) and straight up to Msimbazi area then along the second Msimbazi valley till Kinyerezi bridge and straight with the valley up to the joining line from TAZARA and costal Steel.”
Anyone who joins the Society and later shifts to another area outside the defined boundaries maintains his/her membership.
KUWAMA initially began its operations with the objective of making interventions only when a member either died or lost any member of his/her family. The intervention included contributing and giving the beneficiary a sum of money to support transportation of the body of deceased person and other costs connected thereon. Since its inception, KUWAMA has consistently had a big impact by timely cushioning financial related costs of those who lost their loved ones.
As days went by, its objects were improved and currently are as follows:-
(a) To instill social unity among its members and share in ideas and by deeds all the time
(b) Inspire good conduct of social and cultural life among its members
(c) To contribute graciously to members when faced with social problems
(d) To engage in any economic activities with the object of strengthening and enhancing the objects of the society at large
(e) To offer basic humanitarian services to needy people, orphans, widows and street children living in hardship conditions within the environs surrounding the society at large.”
KUWAMA runs a project of providing chairs and tables to those who need them and are able to pay a fee for them. This project continues to generate some income to date.
Again through its Trustees KUWAMA hold land currently being developed at Buyuni in Ilala District, Ukonga, Dar-es-Salaam. The current project in process is the construction of a social hall that has begun with provision of clean water and electricity at the site. A social hall will be used for multifarious activities.
MANAGEMENT
The Society is managed by the Executive Committee comprising of ten members
The management structure at the root level comprises of seven (7) Branch leaders
The Executive Committee appoints the Board of Trustees which is approved by the Annual General meeting.
The management team conducts its activities in the accordance with the existing constitution, policies and guidelines which are issued by the general meeting from time to time.
We are certain that you will have an insight on our Society’s activities and you will be in position to see how you can contribute towards our noble duty not only of helping those in need, but also for our construction activities which at the end of the day will enable us to have a bigger capacity of helping and transforming those in need.
It is important at this stage to bring to your notice that our activities have included contributions on humanitarian ground to the needy people, orphans, widows and street children living in hardship conditions.
For any contributions please contact The Chairman or the Secretary whose contact cell-phone numbers are 0784-386360 and 0713-512550 respectively.