A few words
About Us
Our roots are humble, but our vision is bold this is where Umoja’s story begins.
Umoja is an education-focused nonprofit initiative rooted in the belief that education is the most powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty and transforming lives.
Founded in 2019 by Baka and Tessy, Umoja began as a deeply personal mission. With no external funding, the founders used their own savings to support academically gifted young Africans who were at risk of dropping out due to financial hardship.
What started as a small act of hope has since grown into a thriving support network. Over the years, Umoja has helped a dozen students pursue their education, thanks to a growing community of individuals who share the belief that no child’s future should be limited by their financial situation.
Our flagship support is currently based in Burundi, where we continue to walk alongside students from vulnerable backgrounds. But this is just the beginning. Our vision is to expand Umoja’s impact to communities across Africa, empowering a new generation of leaders, thinkers, and change-makers through access to quality education.
With the creation of this website, we hope to expand our outreach, share what we do, and inspire others to take part in this journey—because together, we can build a continent where every child has the opportunity to rise.
Vision Statement
Empowering Africa through Education.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to champion educational equity by supporting underprivileged African youth, ensuring that every student can pursue their academic goals and reach their full potential.
Core Values
Community service
Umoja exists because its founders listened closely to communities, observed what was missing, and chose to serve where impact could be lasting.
Excellence
Excellence here is not perfection, it is effort sustained over time, the refusal to waste ability, and the belief that brilliance can emerge from anywhere when nurtured properly.
Integrity
Integrity is the backbone of Umoja’s credibility. Every decision from student selection to fund allocation is guided by transparency, fairness, and ethical discipline.
Empowerment
Umoja does not aim to rescue; it aims to unlock. Empowerment means equipping students with education, mentorship, confidence, and agency so they can shape their own futures and uplift others.
Sustainability
Sustainability at Umoja means designing impact that endures beyond any single donation, cohort, or founder. By investing in education, mentorship, and community involvement, Umoja attacks poverty at its roots rather than treating its symptoms.
Collaboration
Umoja was born from partnership, and it grows through collective effort. Collaboration means recognizing that no single individual or organization holds all the answers.
Inclusivity
Inclusivity at Umoja is a commitment to dismantling barriers; economic, social, cultural, or systemic that prevent capable students from accessing education. Selection is guided by merit, need, and character, not background or proximity to power.
Compassion
Compassion is the emotional intelligence of Umoja’s mission. It is the ability to see students not as statistics, but as whole human beings carrying dreams, fears, and responsibilities far beyond their years.
Our Team
Co-Founder of Umoja
is an ambitious and forward-thinking leader with a bold vision for Africa. With years of professional experience in the field of supply chain management at the world’s largest supply chain company, and having also worked for the largest NGO in Africa, Baka brings a unique blend of private-sector efficiency and nonprofit insight to Umoja.
Co-Founder of Umoja
is a young and enthusiastic International Relations student at USIU-Africa. Passionate about building resilient and sustainable communities, she believes that many young people lack not potential, but opportunity. Through her work and advocacy, Tessy is committed to creating pathways for others to thrive—just as others once did for her.
Come work with us
If you're looking to be part of something meaningful, join Umoja and help change lives through education.
Learn more
Our work at UMOJA focuses on unlocking potential through learning, fairness, and mentorship.
