Ubuntu

ome and someone to care for them. Many of the children have special needs and their hearts are so beautiful, their joy contagious. Needless to say I fell in love with them and I went home wanting more than anything to stay in touch with them and help however I could. Living in NYC newly graduated from college and newly married meant I didn't have much money but I did have a lot of beads because of my love for jewelry-making as a hobby. What began as a few tassel bracelets and a desire to give back blossomed into Ubuntuu. Since starting in May of 2015, we have begun to sponsor 2 children at Gertrude's Orphanage in Port Au Prince by donating 50% from every purchase. We sponsor Wilicia and Jean-Daniel monthly and our donation provides food, clean water, clothing, education, and physical therapy. I have loved sponsoring these amazing kids and being able to make a difference in their lives, but it always makes me wish I was closer to them geographically. I wanted to be able to give back to kids that were in my own community, kids I could connect with a build relationships with. That is why this summer we decided to start a scholarship program for a group of children who are close to my heart from Astoria, NY. My husband and I are part of a group that teachers a leadership class for a group middle school kids between the ages of 11-15 we meet with them weekly during the school year to talk about tough issues and be a safe place to hang out with their friends and learn. We are working to provide a scholarship for each child who participates in the class to receive upon returning to school in the Fall. This scholarship with help with the cost of school supplies and back to school clothes. Ubuntu (pronounced uu-BOON-tuu) is a Ngunti Bantu term from South Africa that can be translated to "I am because we are" or "human kindness". It is a philosophy that encourages love and kindness towards all mankind. I believe that we should love others, even strangers, and go above and beyond when it comes to helping our fellow man like the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37. We are all connected. We are all human. Let's fight to make the world a better place with our greatest weapon: love.