Founded in 1999 by a South African teacher, Banks Gwaxula, and an American university student, Jacob Lief, Ubuntu Education Fund was created to improve access to education and healthcare for impoverished children in township communities.
Today, Ubuntu’s 80 person staff serves over 40,000 children, youth and adults with life-saving HIV services and vital educational resources.
Ubuntu translates as “I am because you are.” They used this philosophy to create the Ubuntu Model – a community-based strategy for program development and implementation in which projects are owned and operated by the people they serve. Approximately 95% of the staff is from the community served – demonstrating their commitment to local ownership and empowerment. Their programs work to develop a base of skills and resources to change how a community sees itself and approaches its future.
Causes
Celebrity supporters 6
Ubuntu Education Fund has received support from the following celebrities listed on this site:
