Where Water Meets Willpower: Umoja Saving Group’s Growing Income Model

Written By Philip Stubbings

The Umoja Savings Group in Mandwanga, Mtama Council in Tanzania is turning access to water into a pathway for financial growth, improved sanitation and community empowerment. Formed in March 2024, the group consists of 20 dedicated members, 12 women and 8 men, working together to transform ideas into impact.

Growing Income Through Vegetable Farming

Vegetable farming stands out as a thriving pillar of Umoja’s savings and credit initiatives. “Thanks to the DMDO WASH+ project, now we access water to a public prepaid water meter point, enabling irrigation using our watering cans” Baraka group leader says. This reliable water source sparked a new idea whereby one group member generously provided land near the distribution point for tomato farming.

  • 3,600 tomato seedlings planted

  • Daily irrigation needs an average of 2,000 litres

Funding That Grows with Them

Group members fetching water from a Public Distribution Point for irrigation.

Umoja runs on grassroots financial systems that create a cycle of savings, reinvestment and resilience. Members fuel their farming initiatives through:

  • Weekly share purchases: up to 5 shares @ Tsh 1,000 (US$0.38) each

  • Weekly social fund: Tsh 500 (US$0.19)

  • Penalties: Tsh 200 (US$0.08) for lateness, Tsh 500 (US$0.19) for absence

  • Special contributions for farming activities

These systems build group wealth from within and sow accountability in every member.

Expecting a Fruitful Harvest

With their first harvest anticipated by late August and September Umoja expects to generate Tsh 5,000,000 (US$2,000) and beyond which will help the members to get loans for boosting their economy and the construction of improved latrines by using affordable SATO Pans from DMDO (Tsh 11,500 (US$4.50) per pan).

“We expect a good harvest that will boost our economy through loans and help us build improved latrines” Juliana Wamata, group member

This is farming with purpose where each tomato vine represents a step closer to community uplift.

Addressing Challenges with Innovation

Group members doing irrigation.

While manual irrigation opened the door, Umoja is ready to take it further. Their challenges include:

  • Time-consuming irrigation using smart cards

  • Labour-intensive water collection from the distribution point

  • Uneven watering leading to yield concerns

To improve efficiency, DMDO plans to provide a refundable drip irrigation system, while the Community Based Water Supply Organization (CBWSO) is preparing a direct prepaid water connection to tanks and pipes, eliminating waste and labour strain.

A Model Worth Sharing

Umoja Saving group is not just farming tomatoes, they are growing a future of how increasing water demand profitably in income generation, CBWSO sustainability and the DMDOs financial model can be achieved.

This model provides a learning platform on how piped water can be used by saving groups and households to improve their livelihood through irrigation farming. Their journey proves the power of partnership, innovation and local action.

Philip Stubbings
Next

Making Money Work: How a Village Savings Group Functions Like a Cooperative, a Micro-Lender, and a Friendly Society