The Ubuntu Education Fund works within the impoverished townships of Port Elizabeth, South Africa with a mission to overcome the desperation of poverty and HIV/AIDS through the participation of the community, Ubuntu provides 40,000 children with life-saving health and educational resources and services annually. Established in 1999 by American student Jacob Lief and local teacher Banks Gwala, this NGO now has 50 full time employees, living and working within these communities.
Ubuntu Education Fund provides scholarships and bursaries to many destitute children and in 2007 they had secured 50 university placements and scholarships.
The HIV/AIDS pandemic has eroded the poor communities, townships and squatter camps around Port Elizabeth at every level. Ubuntu runs mobile HIV/AIDS outreach units within the communities where young and old are tested, counseled, referred to medical clinics and supplied with condoms.
Hundreds of children have been orphaned and left abandoned as a result of the pandemic. Through the assistance of Ubuntu, these affected children have not been uprooted from their schools and family homes but are cared for through a ‘Child Headed Household’ program. Adult care workers from Ubuntu manage these households working in collaboration with the schools and sponsors to supply these children with school uniforms, books and tuition fees.
I became aware of Ubuntu’s activities in 2007 while on assignment in the townships and squatter camps around Port Elizabeth. I encountered desperate children who are destitute, scared hungry and alone. I saw Ubuntu giving hope to these children who had no hope. Even without parents they still belong, have value and a future because of Ubuntu.
To me, this is Ubuntu’s value and on numerous occasions the difference they make to children that have lost all has touched me deeply.
