Umngeni Community Empowernment (PMB)

About Umgeni Community Empowerment Centre (UCEC)

Umgeni Community Empowerment Centre (UCEC) is a registered NPO (034-250 NPO) and Public-Benefit Organisation based in Durban, with an expanding presence in Pietermaritzburg. The organisation has been operating for over two decades, having developed its GBV work through street-based outreach — "Women of Worth" street ministry — through which they encountered alarming numbers of abused women and children who needed shelter and support.

UCEC's work spans GBV support, human trafficking awareness, early childhood development, and community feeding. Their model is deeply relational and volunteer-driven, with a highly trained team committed to long-term strategic partnerships with corporates and community organisations.

The Pietermaritzburg Branch

The PMB branch at 80 Starling Road, Eastwood was established through the vision of local coordinator Darryl Payne, whose own history of recovery from addiction inspired his commitment to giving others a second chance. The Pietermaritzburg office provides:

• Free counselling with a clinical psychologist — covering rape and sexual assault counselling, domestic violence support, substance abuse, and marriage counselling. This is one of very few free, clinician-led counselling services accessible to PMB residents without a referral.
• GBV awareness and advocacy — UCEC PMB conducts street activations and awareness pickets in the PMB city centre, particularly focused on human trafficking (including an annual Anti-Human Trafficking Walk).
• Community feeding — regular soup kitchens and food hampers for vulnerable community members in Eastwood, Oribi, and Northdale, funded through Checkers, Woolworths, and local donors.

Shiloh House Crisis Shelter (Durban)

UCEC's flagship direct service in Durban is Shiloh House Crisis Centre, a refuge for survivors of GBV, human trafficking, and other abuse. Shiloh House provides accommodation, food, clothing and toiletries, counselling, individual care plans, job-seeking support (CV preparation, interview preparation), ID document and grant assistance, and referrals to specialist services. UCEC is currently fundraising through the Hope Lives Here campaign to purchase a property large enough to accommodate 20 women and children — reflecting the chronic demand for shelter space.

Contact

Main office (Durban): 16 Mona Road, Durban Central | 031 824 7951 | admin@ucec.org.za PMB Office (Eastwood): 80 Starling Road, Eastwood, Pietermaritzburg — contact via main UCEC number.