“Ubuntu teaches you self-confidence, self-knowledge, to build your self-esteem, become a leader, learn about your history and elevate yourself to succeed in your everyday life especially in education and much more. I have changed my whole personality. I am much more positive in my life. I passed my school GCSE’S and am in college. I have so much knowledge of my history and where I come from, which makes me more confident in myself. I have never felt better about my life. I always want to help people and support other young people, Daniel, Juney and Kamau were so supportive and they never gave up on me. I am happy to say that they are part of the reason I have changed my life for the better. If it wasn’t for them I don’t know where I would be now. Ubuntu is my extended family and we all support each other like brothers and sisters. This is my testimony and I am proud to say, “Ubuntu I am because we are, therefore because we are I am.””

“Before I joined Ubuntu, I attended Bonus Pastor Catholic College. I was a short-tempered individual, who didn’t see eye to eye with many teachers, who told me I had the potential, but needed to apply myself. One-hour detentions, Red Report Card and exclusions became the norm. I remember not being able to attend the Disco, because I got expelled on the same day. I was upset! However, I managed to find myself part of Ubuntu, with friends with whom I am still close with today. Ubuntu is a way of life, which I have walked with ever since Year 10. I stopped my negative behavior, and started showing respect towards other people. Ubuntu has taught me how to love myself and how to interact with the community. I started to question a lot of things, conducted research and read books. Ubuntu has empowered me throughout the years, and has taught me who I am in relation to Identity & Culture. Yes, I did experience parties and maybe I did bend the rules a ‘few’ times, but after a while, seeing panic on my Mothers face wasn’t too pleasing, when I would come home three hours late. On coming Ubuntu weekly, my actions started to change and I decided not to become part of the stereotypical view, which faces me in this society.”

“I have been attending Ubuntu Social Living Networks for almost three years now. In this period of time I have progressed from secondary school to Sixth Form, where I am currently studying Fine Art, Business Studies and Sociology at A Level. Ubuntu has equipped me with knowledge from outside the curriculum and so I will be at an advantage next year when I take a major step in starting a degree in Criminology and Psychology. Also, being a member of Ubuntu has helped me throughout the years to be confident in myself, in how I walk, and how I articulate myself. This is due to the valuable teaching of our African heritage, in an atmosphere where we empower one another by listening and speaking to each other. From this I learn about my identity and where I originally came from. This means I can know myself and go forth into the future loving myself.”