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Ubuntu Life Partnership

by Mia Thorn and Cecile Keavey


 

Today, the team got that chance to see the work we have put into the partnership with Ubuntu Life, which operates as both a foundation and enterprise. The Ubuntu Life Foundation began as a daycare center for children with special needs in a small town near Nakuru, Kenya. The daycare center grew into a school and nonprofit organization. The “maker moms” (mothers of the special needs children) started a sewing business with Ubuntu finding that entrepreneurship allowed them to support their families now that their children were receiving care during the day. Eventually, the sewing initiative became Ubuntu Life Enterprise —selling bags, shoes, bracelets and other various accessories while offering stable employment.

 

In preparation for our immersion experience, we had connected with our partner, Ubuntu Life through emails and Zoom meetings while still in Syracuse. Through these contacts, we had developed a lot of excitement and anticipation for our visit, and that was far exceeded. Throughout this past semester, we have been building a working relationship with the members of the Ubuntu team to study their social media branding. The goal of this partnership was to create a strong story that could easily connect the Foundation and the Enterprise as well as donors and customers. We had worked on marketing case studies in SOM 354 (Managing in a Global Setting) and were able to discuss the actual possibility of carrying out our strategies during our visit.

 

The second we arrived on the Ubuntu Campus we were immediately met with open arms and smiles from everyone on the Ubuntu team. Throughout our time on campus, we visited the Ubuntu Cafe, The Maker Studio, The Child Wellness Center and the Water Production Facility.

 

Our whole team worked through the day to capture different aspects of Ubuntu Life while getting the chance to learn more about Ubuntu (the idea that “I am because we are”). In every conversation we had, there was an overwhelming sense of community and love that has been built into the foundation of Ubuntu. The relationships that we have created are the most valuable aspect of the visit and will follow us through our educational paths and future careers. A valuable lesson we have learned today is that the moments in your life are not possible without those around you; I am because we are. Karibuni!


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