Ubuntu eXplorer Journeys

Ubuntu: An African word (and proverb) meaning "I am human because you are human." Ubuntu psychology says, "Sharing ourselves and our gifts with others optimizes our collective and individual humanity. Even in the sharing and the giving, the individual or "other" group receives the gifts and the glories of humanity."

What Is an Ubuntu eXplorer?

As an Ubuntu eXplorer, you have a unique faith and mission opportunity to:

• witness love and struggle, to share challenges and opportunities,
• enhance cultural awareness, to exchange ideas and skills,
• learn where Undesignated Giving and pledges support 400 programs in 110 countries and
• understand daily life with international Methodist/United Methodist, grassroots and ecumenical sisters.

As an Ubuntu eXplorer, you will travel, visit, hear and experience mission with international sisters who will host and share their journey of faith and life.

As an Ubuntu eXplorer, beginning April 2006, the Women's Division and United Methodist Women through partnership with Mission Volunteers and United Methodist Volunteers In Mission (UMVIM) offered pilot Ubuntu Journeys to Zimbabwe, Uruguay and Cambodia.

As an Ubuntu eXplorer, you will be hosted by women's organizations that UMW supports through prayers, advocacy, financial gifts and material resources. You will learn about the cultures of the area live, travel, pray, sing, cry, teach, work, listen and tell stories and engage as Christian sisters. You will visit and have a mission experience at institutions such as schools, clinics, women's training centers, hospitals, nurseries. You might teach at a workshop where local women exchange tips on Bible Study and devotions, basic health and nutrition, artisan crafts, singing and liturgical dance.

As an Ubuntu eXplorer, in covenant, we ask upon your return to share your mission and faith experience at your local church, UMW unit, district, conference, schools of Christian mission, work location and other organizations.

As an Ubuntu eXplorer, we need team leaders and team members!! Lead or join a Mission team of 10-12 women to come from various churches across districts, conferences and jurisdictions. At least one member will be a young adult.

As an Ubuntu eXplorer, your team may meet in New York City at Alma Matthews House one day prior to leaving on the Ubuntu Journey. During this time, the team leader's main work will be to form the women into a team. Orientation will be provided through a partnership of Women's Division and UMVIM.

An Ubuntu Journey will be either one or two weeks based on the host organization's request and distance from the United States. We are doing our best to keep the costs between $2,500 - $3,500 (inclusive of airfare, local transfer and immigration fees, room and board, local host arrangements and local workshop expenses, and a $200 registration fee towards a pooled fund for Ubuntu scholarships). Additionally, a team member must be prepared to provide one suitcase of resource materials suggested by the host organization.

For more information and registration forms, please check the Women's Division Ubuntu webpage:
http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umw/work/mission-service-opportunities/ubuntu-explorers

or this Mission Volunteers Ubuntu webpage, which can also be accessed by going to or entering the easy-to-remember website address, http://ubuntujourneys.org.

You may also call Mission Volunteers at 212-870-3825
or the Women's Division at 212-870-3911.

 

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