UBUNTU Mentoring Program

Our UBUNTU mentoring program is designed to provide the opportunity for volunteers from our African Community to provide support and companionship to African and other youngsters in our community. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County (http://www.bbbs.org)will provide program information to African Association of Madison, Inc. members, via in-person presentations and written material; Interview, screen, and make matches based on based on existing BBBS procedures. BBBS would interview and screen families identified by AAM, and all children who are ready and waiting for a mentor and provide supervision and case management for all matches.

The name of this program, UBUNTU emphasizes the truly African cultural value of community support and the importance of everyone in our African Community supporting each other in whatever way possible. Desmond Tutu explaining UBUNTU said:

“We belong in a bundle of life. I am a human because I belong. A person with UBUNTU is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good; for he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished, when others are tortured or oppressed, or treated as if they were less than who they are.” (“No Future without Forgiveness, 1999)

Mission Statement:

Our “UBUNTU” mentoring program is designed to provide the opportunity for volunteers from our African Community to provide support and companionship in two areas:

To school age children in our African Community: With the expectation that these volunteer relationships will provide a positive experience to enhance participation in educational, social and career opportunities available in our community; And especially to assist our Youth to better understand and appreciate their respective African Cultures and Heritage and how to incorporate those values in their every day lives.

To our adults: to all members of our African Community, to provide voluntary assistance as needed to help bring about positive and fruitful experiences for families and individuals in our community.

Objectives:

Mobilize volunteers from the African Community willing and able to provide support to adult members and families of our community. Volunteers will commit time to develop a mutually respectful relationship in order to provide support and friendship – this may also be academic related, support to newly arriving immigrant families, or other types of family or individual support services.