Empowering Women Through the Umoja Cultural Center and Museum

AWF & US Ambassador to Kenya Inaugurate the New Umoja Women's Group Cultural Center and Museum

On March 13, the newly appointed United States Ambassador to Kenya, Michael E. Ranneberger, officially opened the new Umoja Cultural Center and Museum in Samburu Heartland. Present at the ceremony were representatives from the African Wildlife Foundation, and the Umoja Women's Group who celebrated the opening.

In 2005, the work of the Umoja Women's Group caught the attention of the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF). Located in Archer's Post on the northern border of the Samburu National Reserve, the group had built a museum to commemorate their local heritage and to improve awareness of women's issues in the community. AWF's decision to provide support and funding for the group came from the Samburu Heartland team's belief that if properly developed, the group would grow and benefit the women in and around Archer's Post.

The project -- funded by the State Department, USAID, SNV Netherlands Development Organization and AWF -- consists of a new facility for the museum and extensive training for the women involved in the project. AWF's Samburu Heartland team secured a partnership with the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) to provide technical assistance in order to improve the facility and provide training for the women of the group. The women underwent training on establishing a community museum, artifact acquisition, curation and conservation, group management skills, and field collection techniques.

When local people have access to diverse income sources, they will not turn to poaching or other livelihoods that can put pressure on wildlife and habitat. The Umoja Women's Group can now tap into a sustainable business that celebrates and educates the world about their unique culture.

Visit the Umoja Women's Group website at www.umojawomen.org

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