HOW DOES UMOJA OPERATE?
Umoja Orphanage Kenya is an Australian registered non-profit organisation that was founded by Cathy Booth in 2011 to provide an alternative to child abandonment in Kenya. Umoja Orphanage Kenya is the Australian fundraising arm of the charity that raises money for the facility that will be built on the 17 acres of land in Ukunda, Kenya. Umoja is supported by Bundaberg East Rotary Club and is a project or Rotary Australia World Community Services (RAWCS).
We are registered in Kenya as Umoja Children’s Village – Ukunda. This is the name of the orphanage or children’s home where the orphaned and vulnerable children will be re-homed and cared for. We have named this place a village because it will be more than just an orphanage. We plan to expand to include a school and volunteer accommodation. There will be plenty of space for children to play and also facilities to help sustain the village, including a dairy farm, piggery, chicken coop and fruit and vegetable gardens and crops.
We hope that Umoja Children’s Village – Ukunda will be operational in 2014. You can donate towards this goal at http://umojahome.com/kenya/donate/
While there are two different names (and registered charity numbers), both organisations are ultimately working towards the same goal: giving children a second chance at life.
WHO IS UMOJA?
Cathy Booth is both the founder and director of this charitable organisation. Her passion for making a difference to the lives of children without hope prompted others to volunteer their time for Umoja Orphanage Kenya. The Umoja Leadership Team is made up of the five Board of Directors who help Cathy make decisions about the operation of the charity, and other members who assist with fundraising events. None of these people are paid and no-one draws and income from the donations made because Umoja operates as a non-profit organisation. Read more about the leadership team at http://umojahome.com/kenya/umoja-orphanage-kenya-leadership-team/
Umoja also has support in Kenya. Our Project Manager Patrick, who is also the caretaker of the land and the driver for our safari tours side business, works for Umoja in Kenya. Patrick’s first-hand experience of the struggles of daily life in Kenya is crucial to the future success of our project.
Our Kenyan mentors are also major part of Umoja. We take guidance and advice from similar orphanages in Kenya to help us follow best practice and create a children’s home that will be sustainable for the future. The support of our mentors at The Good Life Orphanage and Footprints Orphanage is very much appreciated.
We also consider our generous supporters part of the Umoja family. Those wonderful people who fundraise on our behalf and advocate for us by spreading the word and encouraging others to donate are essential to our project. We value all of our volunteers and look forward to meeting the next group that we take to Kenya in September. Together we achieve the extraordinary.
