Middle School and O Level education for all ages at an affordable cost

High unemployment rate and low wages created many unschooled residents in the country. In neighborhoods of the Bulawayo city, hundreds and thousands of youths and adults are seeking affordable learning space for the requisite education. Ubuntu Tuskegee offers a collaborative learning space led by instructors with teaching experiences. The membership fee is reasonably set which is affordable to many households in the city.

What is Ubuntu - Tuskegee

Ubuntu Ubuntu A profound African philosophy emphasizing the interconnectedness of humanity, encapsulated in the Nguni phrase “Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu,” meaning “A person is a person through other people.” This concept fosters a communal identity where individual well-being is intrinsically linked to the welfare of others, promoting values such as benevolence, compassion, sharing, and mutual respect. In essence, Ubuntu advocates that our humanity is defined by our relationships, urging us to prioritize community harmony over individualism and to act with moral responsibility towards one another.   Tuskegee Institute (Tuskegee University)

Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site

Founded by a prominent African American educator Booker T. Washington, the institute emphasized academic education which goes hand in hand coupled with vocational training and economic self-reliance as pathways to racial upliftment and community development. One of the world’s leading minds in science and technology George Washington Carver who made numerous world renowned and priceless inventions to advance humanity, also taught at Tuskegee. The institute’s principle is for learners to achieve respect and equality through industrious hard work, skill development and moral integrity, by striving for industrialization and economic progress, laying a foundation for future generations to build upon their dignity and societal contributions of our predecessors.

Problem at Hand

For at least 18 years, the country’s O Level pass rate has been as low as 18%. Furthermore, there is a high unemployment rate, low wages, high cost of accessing basic human right such as good quality education, a shortage of qualified teachers due to continuous brain drain, which is exascerbated by severe shortage of 3 000 schools. All of which has led to a large population of lowly, inadequately or unschooled residents across the country. Bulawayo informal traders Currently there are hundreds and thousands of youths and adults seeking to alter and improve their lives’ In order to accomplish this they seek to no avail. There is a lack of community, ethos and a social curriculum to develop the spirit and abilities of community building, self preservation. Low uptake of personal and continuous life/work improvement (kaizen), beyond subsistence level entrepreneurship are also factors of low employment rate and the exodus of many graduates who seek greener pastures elsewhere.

  • Low Income: In Zimbabwe, wages are as low as USD280/month for a university lecturer; whilst food prices are as high as ones in developed countries.
  • Shortage: Zimbabwe is short of 3,000 schools and 50,000 teachers, to deliver adequate education to every child. All schools are short of electricity and water.
  • Brain Drain: Due to its hash economic conditions in the country, 4 to 7 millions of Zimbabweans left, to live and work overseas.

Need

High Standard Academic and Industrial Education at An Affordable Cost

Ubuntu Tuskegee

Ubuntu Tuskegee Program tackles the problems at hand, by offering global standard education at an affordable cost of $30USD per month, equivalent to $1 a day. Curriculum is designed with a combination of academic studies, technology competency adoption and upgrades, entrepreneurship training and industrial skills development, emulating early world practices and the successful model of Tuskegee Institute.

Project Description

Ubuntu Tuskegee is a comprehensive education program that offers middle school ( grade 6 and 7) and O-Level education support, as well as specialized training in a wide range of practical trades and entrepreneurial skills. The program is designed to provide affordable, high-quality learning opportunities to individuals of all ages who are open to personal development and upskilling, also to those facing financial challenges or have been excluded from the formal education system. The curriculum of Ubuntu Tuskegee is grounded in the philosophy of Ubuntu and principles of Tuskegee Institute emphasizing the importance of practical, hands-on education that is directly relevant to the needs and realities of local communities. In addition to core academic subjects, all members are required to undergo training in essential trades such as coding, carpentry, metalwork, electrical engineering, agriculture and others. Tuskegee Institute By blending theoretical knowledge with tangible skills development, Ubuntu Tuskegee Program aims to cultivate a new generation of community builders who are equipped to address pressing challenges and drive sustainable development from within their own neighborhoods and towns. Successful members will earn industry-recognized certifications in their chosen trade, empowering them to pursue entrepreneurial ventures or secure employment in high-demand sectors. The program’s inclusive, affordable membership model ensures that quality education and skills training are accessible to even the most marginalized individuals in the Bulawayo and surrounding communities. This aligns with the Tuskegee Institute’s vision of empowering African Americans through practical, self-reliant education, and the Ubuntu philosophy of oneness and shared prosperity.

Project Site

Southern Africa

The Ubuntu Tuskegee Program is to be based at the Wakambi Co-Learning Space, mothership and founding facility which will be the model for replication and expansion Africawide. A purpose-built facility is planned to be built, easily accessible to residents in and around Bulawayo. The centre will house classrooms, laboratories, library, conference hall, dining hall, gardens, workshops, and shared learning spaces equipped with the necessary infrastructure and resources to support the program’s hands-on, skills-based curriculum. The site was selected for its accessibility and proximity to target communities, and potential for expansion as the program grows. Wakambi Co-Learning Space is to be situated in a centralized location with good public transportation links, ensuring that the program is easily accessible to individuals from all corners of Bulawayo and surrounding areas.

Reaching Out

Education is powerful. Starting out from the city of Bulawayo, we aim to provide community oriented program Ubuntu Tuskegee across Africa, to empower everyone who want to improve their lives and others. Ubuntu: We Are One.

  • 429 million: Live in Extreme Poverty in Africa

  • 98 million: Children in Africa are out of school

  • 85%: Engaged in Informal Sector in Africa

Ubuntu Tuskegee

Project Monitoring

The Ubuntu Tuskegee Program will implement a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework to track the progress and impact of the initiative.

  • Enrollment and retention rates
  • Academic performance and skills development outcomes
  • Graduation and certification rates
  • Employment and entrepreneurship outcomes for program graduates
  • Community engagement and satisfaction levels
  • Sustainability and scalability of the program

Model for Sustainability

Ubuntu Tuskegee To provide quality education at affordable cost, WCS will run coding, entrepreneurial and industrial projects on site. Space for computer lab, agricultural and stock farm, workshops for engineering, food processing and manufacturing give the centre not only opportunities for practical education and training, but also added income for it to be self sustainable and grow its operations organically. Furthermore, by providing services and goods that are in demand in the locality, Ubuntu Tuskegee program will become a real part of the community, nurturing a powerful community building spirit.

Invest in the Future

Ubuntu Tuskegee is a transformative initiative program that empowers students to reach their full potential and positively shape the future of human community. By investing in this program, you have the opportunity to make a lasting impact and help us achieve the following goals:

  • Exceptional Learning: Our program offers innovative, hands-on learning opportunities that ignite students’ curiosity and foster critical thinking skills. With your investment, we can expand access to these enriching experiences and equip the next generation with the tools they need to succeed.
  • Equity and Inclusion: We are committed to creating a learning environment that is accessible and welcoming to learners from all backgrounds. Your investment will help us remove barriers to education and ensure that every child has the chance to thrive.
  • Future Leaders: By investing in our program, you are investing in the leaders of tomorrow. We empower students to become confident, compassionate, and civic-minded individuals who will drive positive change in our community and beyond.
  • Strengthen Communities: A strong education system is the foundation of a thriving community. Your investment will not only transform the lives of our students but also contribute to the overall well-being and prosperity of our region.
  • Global Connections: Ubuntu Tuskegee will establish an international exchange program, allowing learners and investors from across the world to engage in valuable networking and cultural exchange opportunities. This will broaden the horizons of our students and foster meaningful connections with global partners.

Join us in this transformative journey and be a catalyst for educational excellence and community impact. Your investment will make a tangible difference in the lives of our students and shape the future we all envision!

Humble Beginning

Ubuntu Tuskegee Program has started in 2024 from veranda of a residence, with a few learners and instructors working together, making a steady progress. Your goodwill is a great investment to lift up the community, and eventually your good will spread across the world as our learners being capacitated to be competent contributors to the whole human society.

  • Premise: Help us securing a space to run the Ubuntu Tuskegee program empowering at least 100 lesrners!
  • Furnishings & Equipment: Your investment will furnish co-learning space and labs, also adds equipment for industrial education.
  • Internet: Reliable internet connection enables us to fully access available technologies online to boost learning!
  • Solar Power: The country’s mains electricity supply is very erratic. Solar power system will guarantee efficient learning at the co-learning space!
  • Water: We are receiving council water only 1 day a week; borehole system will provide healthy and hygienic learning environment.

Your donation of any amount will empower learners and the community. Please contact us to find out how you can support Ubuntu Tuskegee program. Thank you 🙏

Photo Gallery

Wakambi Co-Learning Space in action!