Who We Are
We are a partnership of many faiths, from different cultures, on two different continents, united in our service to change lives by keeping children in school
DonateTransforming Communities, One Child at a Time
Umoja runs practical education initiatives that give orphaned and vulnerable children a platform to change their lives and their communities.
We Strive to Create Long-Term Solutions Through Education and Empowerment
At Umoja, we believe in breaking the cycle of poverty by providing consistent, transformative support to children and their communities. Our mission goes beyond alleviating immediate hardships. We focus on education as the foundation of our work, ensuring that every child has the resources they need to succeed. Over the years, our programs have uplifted hundreds of families and transformed the lives of thousands of children, making lasting impacts on entire communities.
Our Mission of Faith and Hope
We are a diverse partnership of people united in a shared mission: to keep children in school and help them succeed. Our approach is holistic, touching every aspect of a child's life—from home to school to the wider society. Our key focus areas include:
Our Core Values
Service
Integrity
Faith
Commitment
Unity
Our Team
Leonard Otieno
Director
Linda Olasya
Deputy Director
Samuel Otieno
Accountant
Jeremiah Owaka
Programs Officer
George Onyango
Field Officer
Carolyne Anyango
Field Officer
Lydia Digo
Field Officer
Beatrice Osir
Assistant Field Officer
Victoria Akinyi
Assistant Field Officer
Meshack Okoth
Coordinator
Norbert Opeyo
Librarian
Brian Otieno
Assistant Librarian
Domnic Otieno
Assistant Librarian
Our Board of Advisors
Pastor Zachariah Kuya Nakuti
Chair
Mzee Alphonse Obondo
Vice Chair
Mrs. Consolata A. Oduol
Treasurer
Mr. Joseph Okuku Oriwa
Secretary
Alice A. Osango
Member
Leonard Otiende
Member
Linda Olasya
Member
Guardian Officials
Our success would not be possible without the incredible support from the community we serve, especially the guardians of the children. To ensure seamless collaboration, our guardian group has organized itself into a leadership structure that coordinates their efforts:
Edwina Akuyo
Chair
Regina Akinyi Osir
Secretary
Helida Achieng Orawo
Treasurer
Lawrence Aguyo
Assistant Secretary
Our Story
The Umoja Foundation's journey began in 2006 with the founding of the Global Interfaith Partnership (GIP) in Indiana, driven by the vision of fostering connections and support between communities in the U.S. and Kenya. Ellen Daniels-Howell was selected as GIP's first Executive Director, and the project quickly gained momentum with the goal of supporting vulnerable children in Kenya.
READ MOREOur Partners
We believe in the power of collaboration to achieve our objectives. Our partners have helped us in carrying out our mission and transform the communities we serve.
Partner Schools
We directly partner with these schools in our various programs