Pamoja MEans "together" in Swahili
Pamoja ("together" in Swahili) builds empowered community by pairing newcomer and Houstonian families to form relationships, engage in mutual learning, and walk alongside one another through all of life's ups and downs. Participants companion one another so that everyone learns to cultivate compassion and knows that they are cared for and seen.
Pamoja is FAM’s newest initiative establishing Houston’s companioning model that bridges gaps for newcomers and locals across faith traditions in the metroplex.
Email info@famhoustontx.org for more information!
Volunteer opportunities include and are not limited to:
Serving as a Pamoja companion
Serving as a conversational English partner for Women's Empowerment Group meetings
Sponsoring quarterly activities for Pamoja families, e.g., movie night, zoo trip, jumping world
Providing transportation support for quarterly activities
Providing refreshments for Women's Empowerment Group meetings
Sponsoring meals for monthly companion trainings/check-ins
Assisting with transportation and logistics for summer activities for children and youth
Developing resources on topics such as resume writing, interview skills, and financial literacy
Serving as a translator (Swahili, French)
Companion FAQs
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Simply put, a companion is someone who lets a person know that they are seen, cared for, and not forgotten. You'll be asked to walk alongside another person through all life brings, form an ongoing relationship, and help connect your partner to resources. Our hope is that companions will check in weekly with their partners, with at least two of those check-ins during the month taking place in person when possible (the others could be by phone call).
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Open-mindedness, eagerness to learn, patience, and reliability. No special expertise or knowledge - just the willingness to make a new friend!
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Wherever you want! Check-in meetings can take place in your partner's home, at Shamba Ya Amani, at a park, coffee shop, or any other community location. Accepting an invitation into your partner's home for a meeting will give you as a companion the chance to receive the gift of hospitality and this goes both ways – you are invited to visit at your partner’s home or you can also invite them to yours! Pamoja is all about mutuality.
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FAM staff will work to identify families and individuals who are most in need of companionship at the particular time. As you participate in training sessions, they will be able to get to know you and make matches between companions and participants
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Yes, absolutely!
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Ongoing support: Companions will gather bi-monthly to debrief and reflect on their experiences, to raise questions, and to brainstorm best practices.
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The three trainings will take place online or in person depending on the availability of the cohort. The sessions will focus on storytelling and deep listening, cultural awareness and humility, and the logistics of what a companion relationship entails. Your cohort of companions will have a celebratory “launch date” following the completion of the training.
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Let the FAM team know, and we will make an alternate arrangement. We may record the meeting and share it with those who are not able to attend. But we encourage you to attend for you to get to know other companions!
