What it is: “Harambee” means “all pull together” in Swahili. It’s a tradition of community fundraising and collective saving.
How it works:
- Groups of people (friends, neighbors, coworkers) pool money together regularly
- Each month or cycle, one person gets the whole pot
- It rotates until everyone has had a turn
- There’s social pressure to contribute because you’re accountable to your community
The philosophy: Financial success isn’t just individual—it’s collective. You help others, and they help you.
What we can learn: We’re so individualistic in the US. It’s all “pull yourself up by your bootstraps.” But the Kenyan model recognizes that sometimes you need a lump sum for something big, and your community can help you get there.
Modern version: This is basically what ROSCAs (Rotating Savings and Credit Associations) do. Some immigrant communities in the US still practice this. It builds trust, creates accountability, and helps people save who might not have access to traditional banking.