NGUZO: A Vital Support Association for Tanzanians in Canada!

• Join the Zoom Meeting tonight!

There is a very important association that many Tanzanians living in Canada still don’t know about - even though it has the potential to benefit every Tanzanian family in the country. The association is called NGUZO, and it was created to help our community face one of the toughest challenges we encounter in the diaspora.

Despite being officially incorporated in Canada, awareness of NGUZO remains surprisingly low. According to a survey conducted by this blog in Toronto and across Canada, many Tanzanians are still unfamiliar with its existence - even though it was specifically established to support Tanzanians in Canada during times of serious need.

NGUZO is a voluntary self-help association for Tanzanian diaspora members living in Canada. Its core mission is to support members when the most difficult and expensive life moments happen - especially after the death of a loved one. The association helps members and their families manage and prepare for the urgent and often high costs of funerals, burials, cremation, or even transporting remains back to Tanzania, so dignity and respect are preserved in difficult times.

Why NGUZO Matters
Many Tanzanians in Canada have struggled when a family or community member passes away - scrambling to find funds for funeral and burial costs, sometimes at short notice. NGUZO offers a way for members to plan ahead and lower the financial burden on families during those times.

NGUZO is not a replacement for things like life insurance or personal savings - instead, it works with those as part of a complete plan for financial peace of mind.

Who Can Join?
According to NGUZO’s membership policy, you are eligible to join if you:
Are a resident of Canada 
Are 21 years old or older (or can be registered under a parent/guardian)
Are Tanzanian by origin, ancestry, naturalization, or through marriage/adoption
Are willing to commit to the association’s membership requirements - including designating beneficiaries and paying a membership commitment fee.

How It Works
Once a person becomes a NGUZO member:
Members pay a commitment fee used to build a financial pool
If a member passes away, NGUZO pays a benefit to the member’s designated beneficiaries.
The payout amount depends on how many members belong to NGUZO at that time.
There is a 90-day waiting period after registration before benefits can be claimed.

This system makes it easier to access funds quickly at a time when families usually face delays and uncertainty.

If you haven't heard of NGUZO, tonight is your chance to learn more about this association as it is holding its first Zoom meeting in 2026. Details of the meeting are given here below:

DATE: Saturday, January 31, 2026
TIME: 8:00 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83235371112
Meeting ID: 832 3537 1112

AGENDA:

• NGUZO 101: Introduction - what NGUZO does (and does not do)
• How to Register: Step-by-step guide for membership
• Muslim Funeral Processes in Canada - presented by the eminent Sheikh Hamdani of Toronto
• Funeral and burial steps after death is pronounced
• Cost associated with different muslim burial services
• Live Q&A: Your chance to ask questions directly

Please Share With Others!

This meeting is a great opportunity for all Tanzanians in Canada - whether you live in Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, Edmonton, Winnipeg, or anywhere else in the country. The more people who know about NGUZO, the stronger our community support becomes.

We strongly encourage everyone to attend the Zoom meeting, learn more, and consider joining NGUZO - because planning ahead brings peace of mind to you and your family.