Ubuntu Mundo Serving 300 Children

Bodlayabongolo and Rooiboklaagte

In the face of continued struggle due to Covid-19, Ubuntu Mundo continues to fulfill its mission of feeding children.

After a second government shutdown, both Ubuntu kitchens reopened in February. The staff was able to shift from delivering food parcels to local families back to serving take-out meals to children. Quickly, the properties were humming with happy chatter, as 250 children returned to pick up their daily meal.

Operations at our newest kitchen, in Rooiboklaagte, are running smoothly and the staff has been able to increase capacity by an additional 50 children.  This will bring the total number of children coming daily to the Ubuntu Mundo kitchens to 300.

During this pandemic, the local need has grown. Ubuntu Mundo is working to address the increased need and is committed to increase capacity this year to feed 400 children every day.

Ubuntu Mundo

In 2016, Mahlatse, a tiny but bold 5-year-old girl in Bodlayabongolo, inspired the creation of Ubuntu Mundo, an organization dedicated to feeding children in need. Five years later, both Mahlatse and Ubuntu Mundo have grown and are thriving.

Today, Ubuntu Mundo operates 2 community kitchens serving 300 children a hot, healthy meal every day. It maintains a sprawling vegetable garden with a greenhouse and a borehole powered by solar energy, which produces fresh vegetables such as spinach, tomatoes, cabbage and onions.

From an organizational perspective Ubuntu Mundo is making strides. What started out as 2 people with an idea, has grown to a global initiative focused on the general well being of vulnerable children.

We have a new look, new voices and new supporters, all with the same mission — to feed children and uplift communities.

It has the support of Ubuntu-USA, a newly formed 501(c)(3) fundraising entity based in New York. Thanks to Marc Oosterhout (founder and brand strategist of N=5) and Geurt van Donkelaar (designer at N=5), our logo and branding strategy has been given a new look. And Rolf van der Heijden built our new website. They all worked in the spirit of Ubuntu ~ I am because we are ~ and donated their time and expertise. Together, with individuals and organizations, we are working to support children through nutrition and education-based programming. While our current projects operate in South Africa, we believe our model can be replicated in other communities across the world and we are working to expand our reach. To feed the children of the world.