Café Ubuntu
Nakuru, KenyaImpact
“I am deeply passionate about enabling others who may not have hope, because my own life is a testimony that it is possible to rise from the ashes. After joining Ubuntu, my life was never the same again. I finally felt at home, after having been discriminated against in my native community because of my son’s condition. I have five children between the ages of 12 and 29. Mike, my 15-year-old, has special needs. Before joining Ubuntu, I worked menial jobs to earn some income. Then Ubuntu taught me to sew. I had no prior training in the trade, but over the course of one year, I learned. We created things from scratch. And I harnessed these new skills and it helped change my life exponentially. I became part of the growth and development of Ubuntu Made. I now have a great sense of purpose. I have a renewed hope for making a better future for my children.” – Alice Njeri, one of the Ubuntu Makers
Critical Need
Maai Mahiu town is located along the major tourist and trade route in East Africa. This route is also known as the AIDS Highway due to the truck drivers who travel it propelled the spread of the disease. As adults become ill or die, they leave an ever-growing population of orphaned or abandoned children to fend for themselves on the garbage-strewn streets. These hardships along with the communities roughly 80% unemployment rate makes it extremely difficult to build and empower themselves and those around them. The Ubuntu Team realized that lasting change begins with creating jobs, and building opportunities that empower the local community to take ownership of their own lives so that they can begin building a brighter future for their families and the wider community.
Our Involvement
Our ground partners, Ubuntu Team, empower communities and create jobs through social impact businesses in Kenya, including Ubuntu Made, Ubuntu Cafe, and Ubuntu School. Our corporate partners support Ubuntu Made and Ubuntu Cafe by incorporating a visit to the Cafe in their Kenya tours. Through intentional purchasing decisions, our corporate partners are helping provide a customer base for the Ubuntu Team, which, in turn, offers jobs for marginalized women in Kenya. Travellers enjoy a complimentary meal at Ubuntu Cafe and have the opportunity to shop for locally and internationally sold products as memorable and impactful souvenirs. These social businesses also support Ubuntu School, which addresses injustices affecting the community of children with special needs by providing therapy, education, and vocational training.
