Masiphumelele Township, South Africa

Pro-Jekt Ubuntu came from a meeting of worlds, and the recognition that South Africa and Africa had something unique to give to the world.

Ubuntu

“I am a person because you are.”

Children of Masi.jpg — **Ubuntu Center**

Children attending a Zoom lecture for Math and English assistance. Masiphumelele (Masi) Township.

Wasi Center - Ubuntu Board 2.jpeg — Ubuntu Center

Words by Archbishop Desmond Tutu

During my time in the township of Capri, South Africa, I spent time at the Ubuntu Center getting to know the children that attend this center after their school had ended for the day.

Here is a brief story about the Center, and about Mama Pat who runs this center for the children.

During 2020, Mama Pat would feed dozens of children a day with the help of the people who live outside of this center.

Written By: Candi Horgan

Facebook Page: Projekt Ubuntu Community Projects

Photos by: Rick Rusch

Introduction of the History of the Center

Project Ubuntu works in Masiphumele on the outskirts of Cape Town that deals with a high level of social issues, such as poverty, crime, drug and alcohol abuse, and HIV/AIDS.

Pro-Jekt Ubuntu is a rainbow nation – which means they welcome everyone. The majority of kids are foreign nationals from Malawi or Zimbabwe and a few Xhosa speaking kids which is now increasing.

The children are from families that lack the resources to provide daycare and the center offers a safe and educative space on a daily basis. They also try to offer healthy meals. Many of these children have experienced traumas and receive as much support as possible at the center.

Ubuntu Center is a community that directs resources to the community and cares for between 60 and 100 children every day starting after two in the afternoon.

There are more or less than 70 kids and the volunteers collectively come together to work with one another to support this project by helping Mama Phatiswa Ngcuka (Mama Pat). Mama Pat is the project coordinator who oversees all of the projects on Monday through Thursday.

The kids come home from school, get changed and come to Ubuntu.

Project Coordinator Phatiswa Ngcuka (Mama Pat)

Mama Pat communicates and has the responsibility of overseeing all the projects in Masiphumelele as she leads as the Project Coordinator on site.

Mama Pat is strongly connected to the community and is very aware of the ownership of Masiphumelele. She continues improvements with the support from volunteers and their donations to make renovations, as well as building greater structure where she is able to.

Now leading and representing as the Mama for the Pro-Ject Ubuntu, she cooks hot meals, and resources food through the week to feed the kids of Ubuntu.

Mama Pat encourages new volunteers to stand and introduce themselves to the kids, what they do back home, teaching the kids where they are from and what talents they have and what knowledge they can share with the kids.

Mama Pat also provides support and guidance to volunteers, helping those to understand things that are unfamiliar to themselves here in Masi and to take their learning back home to make a difference.

The Children at the Ubuntu Center.