African Association of Madison and Big Brothers Big Sisters
UBUNTU takes flight
UBUNTU takes flight
By Jonathan Gramling
There is the often quoted African proverb that it takes a village to raise a child. The proverb
reflects the strong value that Africans place on community and an acknowledgement of our
interdependence in helping each other and the community to move forward.
The African community in Madison is not a geographical community or neighborhood for
members are dispersed throughout the Madison metropolitan area and beyond. Rather, it is a
neighborhood of people bound together by values and a love for Mother Africa while also
embracing their new home in Madison and America.
While the children of Madison’s African community are well looked after and are often found
among the top achievers in Madison schools, there are also families that can use a little help and
support in raising their children so that they too can achieve. Life happens to many of us and it is
our village that helps us move forward.
In 2008, members of the African Association of Madison, led by Koso Weller and Richard
Lowe put together the UBUNTU mentoring program. The meaning of UBUNTU has its origins in
the Bantu language of South Africa. It was explained by Bishop Desmond Tutu this way. “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 has a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that
| Koso Weller (c) with mentees Nicole Adams (l) and Derrick Adams |
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.”
UBUNTU is designed to combine the expertise of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County with the heart and mentors of the African community. Members of
UBUNTU recruit members within the African community to act as mentors and identify African children who may benefit from having another positive role model
in their lives. Big Brothers Big Sisters will provide training to the mentors and assist the matched pair (mentor and mentee) in developing a positive and
rewarding relationship.
On March 14, the African Association of Madison and Big Brothers Big Sisters cemented their relationship with the signing of a memorandum of
understanding at the United Way Building on Atwood Avenue. It was a historical moment for both organizations.
“I think this is truly a historical opportunity for us here at the local level to be able to provide services to the community that are very critical and important,” said
Dora Zuñiga, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters. “It is immigrants helping the children to be able to take the best of both communities. We’re very
excited about it. That is so wonderful. And the fact that they recognize this is an issue in their community and the African Association is being so forward-
thinking should be commended.”
And while the African community is looking after its children, they will also provide the families, especially the children, to keep in touch with their culture.
“I think some of us can fill a social vacuum with the children through the UBUNTU program, Koso Weller said. “Now we can be the auntie or the uncle willing to
share not only what we know, but also what they know that they will be able to share with us besides going out to see parts of other cultures.”
For more information about UBUNTU or to get involved, e-mail Koso Weller at kosews@yahoo.com or Richard Lowe at richardllowe@aol.com.
less than who they are.”
UBUNTU is designed to combine the expertise of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County with the heart and mentors of the African community. Members of
UBUNTU recruit members within the African community to act as mentors and identify African children who may benefit from having another positive role model
in their lives. Big Brothers Big Sisters will provide training to the mentors and assist the matched pair (mentor and mentee) in developing a positive and
rewarding relationship.
On March 14, the African Association of Madison and Big Brothers Big Sisters cemented their relationship with the signing of a memorandum of
understanding at the United Way Building on Atwood Avenue. It was a historical moment for both organizations.
“I think this is truly a historical opportunity for us here at the local level to be able to provide services to the community that are very critical and important,” said
Dora Zuñiga, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters. “It is immigrants helping the children to be able to take the best of both communities. We’re very
excited about it. That is so wonderful. And the fact that they recognize this is an issue in their community and the African Association is being so forward-
thinking should be commended.”
And while the African community is looking after its children, they will also provide the families, especially the children, to keep in touch with their culture.
“I think some of us can fill a social vacuum with the children through the UBUNTU program, Koso Weller said. “Now we can be the auntie or the uncle willing to
share not only what we know, but also what they know that they will be able to share with us besides going out to see parts of other cultures.”
For more information about UBUNTU or to get involved, e-mail Koso Weller at kosews@yahoo.com or Richard Lowe at richardllowe@aol.com.