Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Ubuntu for Mandela Day

Ubuntu
The word encompasses a myriad of concepts.
An African Word
Meaning...
Compassion
Love
Assistance
Giving Back to your Community
Loving your Neighbor as Yourself
Seeing others as Your Brother.
Your Sister.

It's found in the townships of South Africa. Ubuntu. Making sure your neighbor can eat. Making sure your brothers are earning an honest living. Are you well off? Hire a caretaker, a maid, your brother, your sister. Do you have a skill? Teach it. Share it. Empower others. Have you seen a problem? Children being abused or left alone? Someone is hungry? Work toward finding a solution. Start a childcare center. Prepare extra food.

Ubuntu was the word that encompassed beauty. The Harrington's came face to face with Ubuntu in the townships, on tours, and in lands beyond South Africa. On Mandela Day, July 18th, the Nation of South Africa encouraged it's citizens to give 67 minutes of their time for "Ubuntu" because Nelson Mandela gave 67 years of his life to polictical activism. A political activism that has offered the world a fresh and beautiful view of forgiveness and reconciliation.

South Africa's not perfect. Neither are we. But all of us would be wise to put a little more 'ubuntu' into our daily grind.

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