UKUEM's 2024 Report: Zakat, Orphan Support and Interest-Free Student Loans

UKUEM's 2024 annual report sets out a year of zakat, sadaka, and welfare support delivered to families across Unguja and Pemba, alongside investment in education and income-generating projects.

Zakat and sadaka. 22 families in need — 9 in Pemba and 13 in Unguja — received zakat support during the year. Sadaka ya nyama (Eid al-Adha meat aid) reached 9,329 families across every district of Unguja, from Mjini to Kaskazini 'B'.

Orphan support. 153 orphaned children — 112 in Unguja and 41 in Pemba — received financial assistance for daily needs, school, and madrasa fees, funded through HASENE, a Turkish charitable foundation.

Student loans. 95 university students received interest-free loans during 2024, funded by NAMA (Malaysia) and Direct Aid (Kuwait), covering first degrees, diplomas, and postgraduate study in Tanzania, India, Uganda, Turkey, Malaysia, and South Africa.

Economic projects. UKUEM leased three acres of its Fuoni farm to a vegetable-growing project, and its Economic Affairs Department opened an account to launch a members' savings-and-loan scheme, due to begin in 2025.

Madrasa teacher-training seminars planned for Wete, Chake Chake, and Mkoani did not go ahead this year due to funding constraints, and are carried over into the 2025 plan.