About Huruma

"Huruma" is the Swahili word for compassion. It characterizes the intention of the initiative: not to turn the back on neighbours living in hardship, to show compassion and sympathy to the less fortunate, to take over responsibility with the aim of helping the disadvantages and vulnerable families in the community.

Launched in 2003, the Huruma Women Group was registered by the local governmental authority in Moshi in the year 2005 (registration no. MJ/MDC/No 18092005). Huruma rose out of the initiative of two women from Tella Mande dedicated to address the needs of the people in their neighborhood. After experiencing that more and more people suffered from poverty, unemployment and diseases such as HIV/AIDS and did receive almost no support, by the state or private charities, Mary Saria started providing them with food and medicine by herself. Soon, she found help in Berther Mawenya who is supporting her until today. With the help of other volunteers from the community and the kind help of friends and sponsors, Mary and Berther have been able to expand their efforts and provide more families with basic care.

Mary Saria (left) is a 46 years old housewife. She has been living in Tella Mande for 28 years. She is mother of six children, four of them still living in her house in Tella Mande. Besides taking care of her own family, Mary is spending most of her time and energy finding supporters and sponsors for the group.

Berther Mawenya (right) is 40 years old and has been living in Tella Mande for 15 years. As a mother and housewife she is taking care of her four children still living with her in Tella Mande. Ever since the beginning of the Huruma Women Group she has been supporting Mary to realize the aims of the initiative. As of July 2008 she is also working in the group's nursery school where she teaches up to 40 children.

The Huruma Women Group does not dispose of any financial resources of its own. From the beginning it's work depended entirely on the help of volunteers from Tanzania and abroad. The women of Huruma work without any payment. That is why regrettably some former members had to quit their engagement in the group as they themselves are in need of support.