WHAT IS UBUMAMA
Outdoor Classroom, Natural Resources, and Life Skills
IT ALL BEGAN IN 20-PLENTY
The pilot project for this unique NGO Outdoor Education Program, was begun in 2020, Kayalethu, Knysna. ‘UBUMAMA’, is an African word which means ‘Motherhood’ here in South Africa and refers to the state of being a Mother; keeper of the hearth, family and home. It is synonymous with the concept of Mother Earth and refers to one who respects nature and upholds good family values.
Reconnecting with our heritage
It is the aspiration of Project Ubumama, to embrace those community values that are so intrinsically part of being South African. African Culture has always been interwoven with nature, traditional stories, song, music, dancing, food preparation and craft work. This rich tapestry of visual and auditory history woven into stories, is exactly the area where Project Ubumama is aligned to serve. Reconnecting with our heritage is absolutely vital for the healthy development of each young student. The process of experiencing nature and sharing stories is not only grounding but it fills the imaginations of the students with wholesome and inspiring images which are designed to connect with the archetypes of our inner landscape. Nature explorations and open air story time bring children into the world of the African past, their Grandparents and parents, rekindling a sense of identity and a deeper respect, pride and understanding for their traditions of origin.
The program is intended for school students, particularly those from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.
SA National Parks Board
Ubumama Outdoor Classroom offers children from disadvantaged communities the opportunity to go on exciting excursions and hikes to places of natural beauty and historical significance. The objective of the outdoor classroom is to bring children of all ages into an environment which encourages their natural enthusiasm for learning. Excursions into the wild serve to reconnect learners with our natural heritage ( the soil, fresh water, indigenous plants and animals) . We are committed to educating children about these precious resources and how to respect our natural heritage as part of developing a happy, healthy sense of self.
Our sponsorship is for schools who would like to take advantage of these excursions but cannot afford the transportation and other costs. The program is presently operated in collaboration with SA National Parks who have kindly offered free entry to all National Parks for students. Sanparks have also provided well trained guides who will take young folk on exciting and informative hikes into forest and ‘fynbos’ environments. Ubumama will soon be able to offer these excursions in collaboration with Cape Nature, local Botanical Gardens and many National Heritage sites.
Our commitment is to sponsor small groups of learners, from many local schools, on outdoor excursions, bringing the classroom into nature and the joy into learning.
In 2022, Ubumama Outdoor Classroom began compiling a beautifully illustrated guide to the Garden Route forest plants for children and nature lovers. When completed, this illustrated book will serve as a valuable compendium to bring along on all educational excursions.
GROW WITH US
