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Welcome to e-buntu
Dear Friend of Ubuntu,
Welcome to e-buntu, Ubuntu Education Fund's quarterly e-newsletter! Each e-buntu will introduce you to members of our community in the townships of Port Elizabeth, South Africa. You will also find ways for you to live the "spirit of ubuntu", support Ubuntu Education Fund's work, learn more about our community, and stay connected to Ubuntu's work from wherever you live. If you have suggestions, don't hesitate to reply to this e-mail.
Thank you for growing with us.
Sincerely,
The Ubuntu Education Fund Team
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Zethu and Fezeka Share Stage with President Clinton
Click here to watch their speech.
Like too many South African children, Zethu Ngceza and her two younger siblings lost both parents to AIDS. Taken in by their aunt, the nine family members occupied a cardboard shack with refuse bags acting as a roof. When her aunt moved to Johannesburg in search of work, then 11-year-old Zethu was left to care for her siblings alone, with no income or adult support.
Inspired by their eloquence and gripping story of survival, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) invited 16-year-old Zethu Ngceza and her Ubuntu Education Fund Case Manager Fezeka Mzalazala to the United States to speak at the CGI semi-annual meeting on April 19th in New York. The invite came as a result of a contribution by Ubuntu donors Vincent and Ann Mai, who made a CGI commitment to fund the expansion of our services for orphans and vulnerable children.
Fezeka helped Zethu's family access a social grant - navigating the bureaucratic channels to ensure the family had a sustainable income. She then found them a place to stay, offered emotional support and counseling and enrolled them in school. Through her own hard work and with the support of Fezeka and Ubuntu Education Fund, Zethu and her siblings are now enrolled in school and doing well.
The CGI meeting hosted over 450 heads of state, CEO's and other philanthropists. In recognition of Ubuntu Education Fund's unique community based approach to some of Africa's seemingly insurmountable problems, Zethu and Fezeka shared the stage with President Clinton and gave a brief presentation about Ubuntu and how their programs have helped families like Zethu's survive. As part of her talk, Zethu made her own commitment to return to Port Elizabeth and start a support group at her school for young girls orphaned by HIV/AIDS. This commitment was signed on stage with President Clinton.
Fezeka and Zethu interview each other about the experience:
Fezeka: Okay, Zethu, tell me why you went to America to meet Bill Clinton.
Zethu: I was invited by the CGI because Mr. Vincent Mai from South Africa made a commitment that he will help Ubuntu Education Fund work with vulnerable children. They wanted feedback about how this work has affected young people who have received help from Ubuntu. So I was there for making feedback of the ways me and my family have been helped by Ubuntu Education Fund. You were also invited. What did you want to tell the people at the Clinton Global Initiative meeting?
Fezeka: What I wanted to do is give an overview of what we are doing as Ubuntu in South Africa. From a personal point of view I wanted to just tell them about myself. Before Ubuntu, you know, I was not sure of exactly what I wanted to do. Being involved in this kind of work, that's when I realize that's something that I wanted to do - be a case manager and help so many families. By having this opportunity it showed me what I really want. It showed me my dream when I never even knew before that this was my dream. Tell me more about the commitment you made when you were on stage with President Clinton?
Zethu: Firstly, I am an orphan. But before I was an orphan I didn't know how that felt. Now that I am an orphan I've experienced so many things, especially because I've also had to take care of my brother and sister and it put me through a lot having to be like a parent. Sometimes you feel badly and you need people - you need to share your experience. So, I thought that I would also like to give an opportunity for other orphans to be able to share their feelings. So I had the idea of starting my own support group for other orphan girls like myself. Just because I am an orphan doesn't mean I can't be part of making a difference, and I think that my commitment is the best thing that I can do in order to change the world.
And the group has already started with five sessions. We are getting together and just talking. We share our feelings about things like discrimination toward orphans. We share how to fight the stigma. We also have a professional counselor from Ubuntu who helps all of us. It's just the best experience.
I've learned a lot from this whole experience. Firstly, you should not hurry any experience and take things step by step. What is so cool is that I spoke with the big guy, Bill Clinton, and I'm just me, Zethu from Port Elizabeth. But at the same time I could do it and I'm good and brave. The experience made me realize how strong I am and how strong my brother and sister are. It was the best experience. A lifetime experience.
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Donate
Click here to support Ubuntu
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Did you know?
The Ubuntu Centre, set to open in 2009, will use a 'green design'. Using natural and local materials, photovoltaic panels for solar energy, passive heating and cooling, a rooftop vegetable garden with grey water, and outdoor green spaces will provide the sustainable, efficient and people-friendly space the community deserves. Groundbreaking is scheduled for September.
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Ubuntu Action
This month, we challenge you to tell 5 of your friends about Ubuntu Education Fund. If they are interested in learning more, send them to our website. This commitment will help us to expand our network and, in turn, ensure that our services continue to reach the most vulnerable children in Port Elizabeth. When you complete the challenge, let us know about the response you received.
Ubuntu Action Highlight:
On a little island off the coast of Maine, mother and daughter baking duo, Anna and Karen Fernald spent the summer baking blueberry pies for Ubuntu. They recruited the children of Little Cranberry Island to sell over 200 pies and raised $2000 for Ubuntu Education Fund.
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Learn isiXhosa
isiXhosa is the language spoken in our community. Below are phrases used by our health team:
Mpilo-lwazi:
Health - knowledge
Thatu' lwazi:
To gain knowledge
Sisonke kulomlo:
Together in the struggle
Phaphama:
Awaken yourself
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Ubuntu Education Fund
32 Broadway
Suite 414
New York, NY 10004
USA
646-827-1190
PO Box 14526
Sidwell, 6001
Port Elizabeth, South Africa
041-459-0627
Friends of Ubuntu Education Fund, UK
c/o Freeplay Foundation
56-58 Conduit Street
London W1S 2YZ, UK
info@ubuntufund.org
www.ubuntufund.org
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Spread the Word
Click here
to send this e-buntu to a friend.
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