Our work at Projekt Ubuntu -
Projekt Ubuntu ( or Pro – Jekt your “humanity” ) was started after the xenophobia in 2007, where we realised that we needed to keep a space alive in South Africa, to heal the injustices of the past and to continue to bring people together, to build the South Africa that Mandela dreamt of. Through volunteerism, we are able to practically bring people together, from diff
erent communities and different countries around the world – to learn from one another and to develop our human values and potential together. ( the principal of ubuntu – I am a person, because you are ) Through our projects, we are able to facilitate a process where young people can develop themselves, through service to others. Many young people from priviledged backgrounds, have the education and resources; but not necessarily, the life experience. Poorer community may not have the education and resources, but one can learn through life experience and the wisdom that is there. We find in matching individual skills and people to projects, we are able to assist the projects with much needed resources and in turn offer a space to young volunteers, where they can develop themselves as better people, discovering new depths to their skills, creativity and potential. We work with a hand up rather than a hand out approach, which means – we support the people that are leading in their communities, that have the knowledge and the know-how and wisdom to solve their own challenges – they often just like the right support and resource to do what they need to do. Through our volunteering process at Projekt Ubuntu, we are really able to propel people’s dreams forward and really make a meaningful difference. When volunteers arrive, we meet and discuss skills and what they wish to do and achieve, we then place each person, at a project where they are best able to share and develop themselves. Our projects work mostly with vulnerable children in the communities of Ocean View and Masiphumelele. So at Projekt Ubuntu, you will have an opportunity to use your initiative and to work alongside a community, you will learn from the children and from their carers, you will learn about the African culture and community development. It is truly a wonderful experience, of growth all round for everybody.
