Day 7 – The Ubuntu Community Centre

Our stay in Port Elizabeth was only one day, but we have several important stops!

We began our day at the Ubuntu Community Centre. To get there from our rooms, we had to pass through several informal settlements:

We arrived at Ubuntu’s beautiful stone and wood building:

(Photo borrowed from the Ubuntu website)

We were greeted by Ubuntu’s smiling, animated Deputy President, Gcobani Zonke.  Gcobani explained that the Ubuntu Centre gets its name from the African concept of togetherness or humanity.  Gcobani made it clear that II takes on projects according to the needs of the community.  It is critical, he told us, that II involves the community in everything it does.  Without buy-in and a sense of partnership with the surrounding members of the community, the Centre would become merely a ‘giver’ of services, rather than a partner in projects.  The building itself embodies this ideal.  Gcobani explained that members of the Centre went into the neighboring areas and solicited opinions not only on what types of services were needed, but also what the building should look like.  The whole process took between 6-9 months, but the end result is a structure that the community considers their own.  In fact, it was the community, whom Gcobani told us had an 80% unemployment rate, that raised the first 250,000 Rand (about $31,000).  

When we entered, I was struck by the earth tones and the use of word in the supports and ceiling.  Gcobani pointed out that the architect molded the community’s input into a design that embodied a tree on the plains, with sand and earth colored rugs and wooden gum poles on walls and ceilings:

There was also an amazing sign over the main desk, that proclaimed: All Things Bright and Beautiful:

Finally, to tie the tree symbolism with that of togetherness, a large wooden door – split into two puzzle-like pieces that come together when the door is closed (!), stood prominently to the left as you entered:

Gcobani said the Centre is always trying to involve the community in any way it can.  He gave us the example of their computer center, where local residents were trained to strip wires in preparation of the computer installation.  “When we turned on the computers,” he said, “they were their computers!”

This Centre seeks to address three critical areas of need within this community:  health, education and household stability.  Gcobani said that if all three of these facets are not in place and working, the other two will suffer.

We spoke with Cebu, a long-time professional nurse, who is running Ubuntu’s clinic.  In our discussions, Cebu explained that the community is making good use of an array of services, including preventative and reproductive health care, HIV/anti-retroviral treatment, and assistance with Tuberculosis.  Even with the limited staff at Ubuntu, they still manage to handle about 500 families!  As Cebu explained, “We don’t give up on people.  We believe in these people.”

Our next stop within Ubuntu took us across the parking lot to a well-maintained building with a thriving garden right outside:

This was the location of Ubuntu’s new early childhood education program.  We spoke to Bongisa, who coordinates this initiative.  She showed is the inside of this center, where 40-50 two-year olds were being educated by an impressive 4-to-1 staff to student ratio:

She explained that the program only exists because they could find committed parents that would get their children to school every day and support them at home.  Monthly meetings are scheduled where parents come to learn about discipline so that what is done during the day will carry over at home.  Bongisa said that parents are now eager to use what they have learned and are even asking about parenting strategies for their older children!  As a way to give back to the Centre, families tend the outside garden, which supplements the school’s daily food offering.  Bongisa noted that their biggest challenge is not finding parents or families, but hiring enough professionals for the initiative.  To assess their students, Ubuntu has turned to a consultant group that works with staff to develop/plan assessments. 

Gcobani met up with us for the last few minutes of our visit and talked to us about future plans.  He said that Ubuntu is trying to remain thoughtful and adopt a “slow is fast” mentality in everything they plan.  Ubuntu would ultimately like to offer services that range “from cradle to career”, but they want to build carefully on their current successes. 

From what we saw today, they seem to be off to an exciting and productive start!