A Story about OBUMU – about Community, Solidarity and Care. 👥

Obumu – that’s the name of a song we’re currently working on. We’ve already recorded a first version. Maybe it will be released soon…

The past weeks have been heavy for us

The past weeks have been heavy.

Heavy because two people from our group – despite completed training and permanent work contracts – suddenly faced deportation.

Heavy because a family of three, who are part of our group, were unexpectedly confronted with a legally untenable threat: they were told they would have to leave their accommodation in a mother-and-child shelter within a week and would be left without housing.

Heavy because several people among us were particularly affected by the ongoing lack of assistance and care – and with it, a loss of self‑determination.

Heavy because many of us simply weren’t doing well.

We fought – and we celebrated

While the excavation pit at Metzgerstraße 5a keeps growing and the house becomes more tangible week by week, we fought.

We stepped in for one another. We supported each other.

The deportations were prevented – or at least postponed. The legally unjustified termination was withdrawn.

We held each other, encouraged one another, learned from each other – and yes, we celebrated ourselves, too. Almost half of the Gemeinwohlwohnen group has their birthday in November. If there are any astrologers or statisticians among you, feel free to send us your personal theory for this unlikely coincidence 😉

Yes, this is Obumu.

Obumu is beautiful – but in difficult times it can also be demanding, exhausting, and draining.

Obumu needs Obumu.

Obumu is growing – and needs care

If everything had gone according to the original timeline, we would already have moved into the house by now.

Instead, the last weeks have felt a bit like the universe saying: “The plan was to move in now – so this is also the moment when crises can arrive, so we can learn how necessary and valuable this house truly is.”

Things come as they come. And it will still take at least another year and a half before we can move in.

That means more time for us. More time for our Obumu.

Because Obumu grows slowly. It needs care. It needs nourishment – week by week, day by day, meeting by meeting.

Obumu only works together. And {{ contact.VORNAME }} – that means: we need you.

We need our combined strength and the resources we can share – without exhaustion, without pressure, and with a good feeling.

Here are the ways you can currently support us:

1. Housing

Several people in our group are urgently looking for housing. (Yes, dear universe – the house is really not finished yet.)

We are looking for a 2–4 room apartment, ideally barrier‑free (but not necessarily), located within the city of Munich.

The rent should not exceed €17–18 per square meter.

The apartment would need to be available by the end of January at the latest.

Please get in touch if you know of something or can make an offer.

2. Money

Some things can be financed through public or private funding. Others repeatedly present major financial challenges.

This includes, among other things:

• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Childcare and assistance costs
  (No – by far not everything is covered by the state.)
• 💼 Legal costs
  (It’s not easy to find people with expertise in social law, immigration law and family law at the same time. If you know someone – please let us know.)
• 💸 Compensation for loss of income / basic living costs during crises
  In the case of a deportation order, work permits expire and there is no entitlement to social benefits or unemployment support.
• ⏳ Work time required during crises
  In crisis situations, our office team prioritizes what is most urgent. Other tasks are postponed or unpaid overtime is worked – especially time‑intensive are accompaniment to authorities and bureaucratic paperwork, which is not covered by funding.

We have calculated the costs incurred so far for these points. This year alone, they amount to approximately €6,000 – and further costs are expected.

To help cover these expenses, we have started a crowdfunding campaign.

Please consider donating and sharing the campaign using the reference “SOLIDARITY.”

 

DONATE HERE 

 

Sharing is a cycle

Okugabana naawe.
Okugabira wamu.

These are two expressions in Luganda. They can stand alone or be used in relation to one another. They mean:

I share with you.
You pass it on.

Obumu – solidarity – is a cycle, a spiral that can grow or shrink.

We are deeply grateful to be part of a spiral that continues to grow – despite everything happening in this world, despite all crises and obstacles.

In a recent interview, Lorenz Geier – future resident and member of our office team – talks about his life and ends by dreaming of what it would be like if, alongside Metzgerstraße 5a, another solidarity‑based housing project could emerge in the countryside.

Yes – that would be beautiful.

Let’s keep dreaming. Let’s keep growing.

And what else?

🎁 On December 20 from 3 pm, you can find us at the “Social Booth” at the Schwabing Christmas Market. Come by for a hot punch!

🎬 On March 3, 2026, from 5–10 pm, we’re hosting a film screening followed by a fishbowl discussion of “The Tender Revolution.” Free tickets are available online.

🎶 You can also rewatch the video from our event “Jattle, BAM + Poetry.”

Warm regards,
Gemeinwohlwohnen