About Us

HARAMBEE’S MISSION

Harambee (pronounced HAR-AHM-BAY) is our name and our mission. It means “Let’s Pull Together” in Swahili. We pull people together for the good of community by connecting the people of the United States with the people and diverse cultures of Africa. We believe that intercultural awareness, education and exchange are essential to building genuine understanding, respect and enduring relationships anywhere in the world.

Our Team
Supporters
 
Co-founders Grace Kuto, Jackie Goldrick & Nobel Peace Prize winner, late Wangari Maathai, Ph.D

Co-founders Grace Kuto, Jackie Goldrick & Nobel Peace Prize winner, late Wangari Maathai, Ph.D

Since 2001, Harambee has been on mission to increase knowledge and appreciation for African cultures and traditions by supporting multicultural education programs and cross-cultural exchanges.

 

What We’ve Achieved

  • Harambee Centre completed the purchase of an ambulance for Chwele Health Clinic thanks to your support.

  • We continue to provide local scholarships for students ( K-College) at Chhwele, Kenya through Kenya Keys.

  • Harambee Centre gifted 100 sewing machines along with business training to more than 200 women in Naisosion Sewing Project in Arusha, Tanzania

  • Successfully partnered with OHSU to develop and improve healthcare quality services at Chwele Health Clinic through volunteer cultural exchange awareness trips.

  • Through a $200,000 grant from Nike Corporation, we built a dormitory for 420 girls at St. Andrews High School in Matale, Uganda

  • More than 200 volunteers have participated in our volunteer cultural exchange trips.

  • We sent 15 Oregon teachers to Ghana on Scholarship for a cultural and education exchange awareness trip.

  • In partnership with Medical Teams International, we sent a 40 foot container of medical supplies and equipment to Chwele Health Clinic, Kenya

  • Built a complete Science Lab with equipment and supplies at St. Andrews High School in Matale, Uganda

  • Through a $150,000 grant from Geguine Benito Foundation and additional fundraising, we built a community center at Chwele, Kenya for self-sustainable community development activities.

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 Success Stories

St Andrews Thank You Song to Donors
St Andrews Thank You Song to Donors

  • “Harambee Centre changed completely how I viewed my education.”

    “I always struggled in school being dyslexic, seeing studying as a burden rather than an opportunity. The Harambee Centre’s cultural exchange programs introduced me to students in Uganda who changed my perspective on education. They wanted to go to school and walked great, dangerous lengths everyday for the opportunity. Today I am grateful for my education, I love school, and am pursuing a Masters Degree in Geneva Switzerland.”

    - Cameron

  • “Harambee has impacted my life directly, personally, starting at St Andrews where Harambee provided a good environment for studying.”

    “Thank you to everyone that has supported Harambee work through your kind donations. Being in a school where you have literally all the resources that you need to excel as a student, that really helped me so much and I took the best advantage of that. I believe through the support you give to Harambee we'll help so many kids get a better life - change from a life where they are thinking about poverty and failure in life, to life where they are thinking about succeeding and creating positive change.”

    - Robert

  • “We donate because we are all connected as humans and we are confident that the funds are well managed.”

    “I love that Harambee works with a specific community in Kenya to improve the lives of the people in that community.”

    - Judy