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Umoja

Umoja is a Swahili term meaning unity, togetherness, and solidarity. It is widely used across East Africa as a concept in culture, community projects, and organizational names, often to reflect a commitment to collective well-being and cooperation.

One notable use of the name is the Umoja Uaso Nyiro Women’s Village in Samburu County, Kenya.

Beyond this village, Umoja is used as the name for various organizations, initiatives, and programs in Africa

Founded
in
1990
by
Rebecca
Lolosoli
and
about
15
women
who
sought
safety
from
gender-based
violence,
the
village
operates
as
a
women-led
community.
Its
residents
run
crafts
and
beadwork
cooperatives,
produce
goods
for
sale,
and
host
visitors
who
come
to
learn
about
the
community
and
its
work.
Tourism
provides
income
that
supports
families
and
the
village’s
activities.
The
project
is
frequently
cited
as
a
symbol
of
female
empowerment
and
resilience
in
the
region,
while
commentators
also
note
the
broader
social
and
economic
challenges
that
women
face
in
the
area.
and
the
African
diaspora.
These
typically
emphasize
themes
of
peace,
development,
and
mutual
aid,
drawing
on
the
core
meaning
of
unity.
The
specific
purposes
and
structures
of
these
initiatives
vary,
but
they
share
a
common
aim
of
fostering
cooperation
and
collective
action
within
communities.