Ubuntu Mundo
Formed in 2016 in The Netherlands
Ubuntu Mundo provides strategic planning and fundraising to support a network of small-scale projects feeding children all over the world.
Ubuntu Mundo establishes roots in distressed communities and supports local efforts to uplift futures.
Board and Leadership
Roland Oosterhout
Board Chair
Roland brings a background in finance and 20 years as a hedge fund manager in NYC to the enormous task of designing a global network to feed children. Since co-founding Ubuntu Mundo in 2016, Roland has dedicated himself to working with local leaders to reach consensus around solutions, to building physical sites for farming and food programs, and to developing a business engine to sustain and grow Ubuntu Mundo's operations. Originally from The Netherlands, Roland now spends half of each year in South Africa developing the onsite programs of Ubuntu Mundo, and the balance of the year in The Netherlands, Mexico and the United States advancing its mission. Roland brings his financial skills and his deep commitment to doing what is right, to creating real opportunity for those who suffer because of being born into circumstances that unfairly limit opportunity.
Jacques van Os
Treasurer
Jacques has been on early retirement since 2014 after 43 years of employment at ABNAMRO. The invitation to join the Ubuntu Mundo Board as treasurer was gladly accepted. The decisive factor was the clear mission of the Foundation: the children. And the enthusiasm of Roland and Cecilya. Due to the life path of the great Nelson Mandela and the books of Wilber Smith, interest in South Africa was present at an early age. Children are also our number one priority in private. Together with Ewa I have 5 children and 2 grandchildren. Our second homeland is Poland.
Alewijn Medendorp
Secretary
Publications
Ubuntu
South Africa
Formed in 2016 in South Africa
Ubuntu-South Africa operates small-scale projects feeding children in South Africa. It currently runs (directly or in partnership with other NGOs) gardens, kitchens, feeding programs, and after school programs in Bodlayabongolo and Rooiboklaagte.
Board and Leadership
James Moyeng
Mr. James, as he is known at Ubuntu, is on the Board of Ubuntu-South Africa and is the Project Manager at the Bodlayabongolo Project. Mr. James grew up not far from Bodlayabongolo and now, in retirement from his work at Eskom, the public utility in SA, he has joined the Ubuntu team because of his love of farming and of children. He especially loves that his work yields fresh vegetables that feed the vulnerable children in his community. He runs all the daily operations at the Bodlayabongolo Project, overseeing the gardens, the kitchen and the staff, and is the prime liaison for the Rooiboklaagte Project. Mr. James speaks with joy about his work with Ubuntu saying “I have realized that I am now attached to the Ubuntu Mundo children and the garden.”
Thembisile Ndlovu
Mrs.Thembisile Ndlovu is from Timbavati village. She is a medical doctor and very passionate about helping people especially children. She grew up in a community where she saw children suffering because of poor socioeconomic status. She is very happy to be part of Ubuntu Mundo and it is her hope that we will be able to expand and cover a lot of disadvantaged children.
Emeldah Hlabane
Mrs. Emeldah Hlabane was born and raised at Buffelshoek. Currently she is staying at Matsikitsane. She is working as the Head nurse at the Brooklyn clinic, serving the greater Bodlayabongolo area. As a professional nurse she enjoys bringing services to the community. She has been part of Ubuntu Mundo since day one and her insights of the communities have helped shape the feeding program.
Elmon Malapane
Mr. Elmon Malapane was born and raised in Buffelshoek village. He worked at Seganyane Primary School in Bodlayabongolo. This is the community were Ubuntu South Africa opened its first community kitchen. He is currently in Sekhukhune District in Marble Hall as a Principal. He loved working with children and developed love for feeding them while in Bodlayabongolo. He is always eager to assist and see the needy kids in the area and around the world been fed. Feed one child and you shall have fed a nation.
Cecilya Bravo
Cecilya, a born teacher and unifier, brings her love of the arts, together with her 18 years of experience as an educator, to her true passion — creating programs to nurture children in body, in mind and in spirit. Originally from Mexico, Cecilya was educated in Mexico and Paris, and now splits her time between South Africa, Europe and the Americas, pursuing her mission of creating programs to uplift children. In the eyes of every child, she see boundless potential. Since co-founding Ubuntu Mundo in 2016, Cecilya has inspired local communities and a worldwide network of donors to come together and find solutions to circumstances that squander that potential. Working with local health care organizations, Cecilya finds the children most in need of nourishment. She draws on her deep empathy to create opportunities to celebrate each child’s unique spirit and gifts. She can be both teacher and student, bringing new skills and inspiration to the children, but just as keenly following their lead and celebrating in their joyful self-expression.
Ubuntu-USA
Childhood is a time of limitless potential.
Where you are born, what you are fed, how you are educated, what opportunities are available to you— all these things have the power to unleash or constrain that potential.
Ubuntu-USA believes that every child deserves the chance to reach their full potential.
Ubuntu-USA is a grant making organization that funds programs that feed, educate and support vulnerable children. Programs that can help children thrive. Programs that feed their futures.
Mission
Inspired by the work of Cecilya Bravo and Roland Oosterhout of Ubuntu Mundo in South Africa, Ubuntu-USA was established to fund programs that support vulnerable children around the world with targeted nutritional, health and education programs.
Ubuntu-USA funds programs that see the beauty and potential in each child, and we invite you to join us in feeding their futures.
Ubuntu USA, Inc., a Delaware corporation, is a fundraising organization, exempt from US tax under 501(c)(3).
EIN: 84-2396826
Board and Leadership
The founding members of the Board of Ubuntu-USA all know one another through their children -- they met as parents at a small school in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood where Cecilya was the beloved Spanish teacher. It is the love of children that drew them to this work. That and the example set by Cecilya and Roland who upended their lives, moved across the world, and have dedicated themselves to making a positive difference for vulnerable children everywhere.
Sabrina Coughlin
Board Chair
Sabrina is the mother of three, with a background in law and nonprofit administration, who stepped down from paid work in her 40s to parent full time and volunteer at her children’s school and other community organizations. She lives in NYC with her husband and, together with their now mostly grown children, they support the arts, education, social justice and climate justice causes. It is Sabrina’s great joy to be part of this work.
Jodi Hecht
Treasurer
Jodi is a mother of two with a passion for infrastructure, government policy and podcasts. As a financial analyst, she is more than numbers and spreadsheets. Her interests have guided her to climb wind towers, tour the gold vault at the Federal Reserve and see fourteen movies in ten days. She aspires to develop a sustaining, smart city. Now, she lives in NYC with her husband, son and daughter, who share her enthusiasm in music and social justice.
Katya Plyshevsky
Secretary
Katya Plyshevsky worked in marketing and distribution until deciding to stay home to raise her two daughters. In her parenting journey, she became deeply interested in health and wellness which led her to study homeopathy. She currently lives in NYC with her husband and children and runs a homeopathic practice. Her interest in health, nutrition, social justice and environmental sustainability drew her to Ubuntu’s wonderful mission and inspiring work.
Roland Oosterhout
Director
Roland brings a background in finance and 20 years as a hedge fund manager in NYC to the enormous task of designing a global network to feed children. Since co-founding Ubuntu Mundo in 2016, Roland has dedicated himself to working with local leaders to reach consensus around solutions, to building physical sites for farming and food programs, and to developing a business engine to sustain and grow Ubuntu Mundo's operations. Originally from The Netherlands, Roland now spends half of each year in South Africa developing the onsite programs of Ubuntu Mundo, and the balance of the year in The Netherlands, Mexico and the United States advancing its mission. Roland brings his financial skills and his deep commitment to doing what is right, to creating real opportunity for those who suffer because of being born into circumstances that unfairly limit opportunity.
