Cradle to career programs

The most sustainable way to break the cycle of poverty is through early interventions. We start with infants, monitoring their health for their first 1,000 days with regular screenings and immunizations. We provide new moms with postnatal support, including breastfeeding classes and newborn packs. Families have access to parenting skills classes where they can learn about nutrition, discipline, safety, and childhood development. Toddlers are enrolled in our Early Childhood Development program, which ensures children aged 2-5 years achieve developmental milestones. All our graduates enter primary school with a strong foundation, prepared for a lifetime of learning.

The Ubuntu School provides our students with the same quality of education that the country’s elite receive. In January 2019, we enrolled our inaugural class of 125 students in Grades R-3. In addition to providing a strong academic foundation, we deliver the extracurricular, health, and household stability services that every child needs to thrive. We have also begun construction of our new primary school complex on the land adjacent to the Centre. This facility will help us accommodate new grade levels and increase school enrollment, paving the path toward a sustainable, Grades R-12 academic institution.

Our approach to addressing the HIV epidemic begins with birth. Through our Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission (EMTCT) program, we ensure that pregnant women living with HIV give birth to healthy, HIV-negative babies. Our medical team monitors pregnancies closely, promoting safe childbirth practices and infant feeding to halt the spread of HIV. All patients living with HIV receive antiretroviral medication, routine testing to maintain healthy viral loads, and adherence support. We also provide sexual and reproductive health services to girls and women and organize outreach initiatives to eradicate the stigma surrounding HIV in our community.

The townships of Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth, face an unequal healthcare system composed of private, well-funded facilities for the wealthy and under-resourced, overcrowded public clinics for the poor. Operating from our state-of-the-art clinic, Ubuntu ensures that our community receives the same quality of care as the country’s elite. Our medical team provides individualized health services, ranging from routine checkups to nutritional consultations to medication from our onsite pharmacy.

The Ubuntu Centre provides primary and high school students with a safe space to develop positive behaviors and achieve academic excellence. Our Holiday Camps offer a host of extra-curricular activities like public speaking, performing arts, and sports. University-bound scholars receive one-on-one tutoring while preparing for their matric exams and participate in group study discussions with their peers.

We empower unemployed youth aged 20-30 with the skills and opportunities needed to enter and advance in the workforce. Students receive career guidance, vocational training, and professional skills development over a six week period. Upon completing the program, we place graduates in rewarding employment through our recruiting partners across foodservice, hospitality, retail, and other industries.

In order to attain positive educational and health outcomes, our clients need a comprehensive support system both on the Ubuntu Campus and at home. Through our unique household support initiative, our team of caseworkers visits clients' homes to evaluate and address each household's specific needs. Caseworkers then collaborate closely with teachers, nurses and other Ubuntu staff to implement individualized case management plans. These looked different for each client, but may include psychosocial support, specialized security upgrades, ventilation and sanitation interventions, and food security support.