Ubuntu 2007, 2008 Trips Scheduled
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by BARBARA WHEELER*
Leaders of upcoming United Methodist Women's Ubuntu Explorer Journeys to Cambodia, Kenya, Hong Kong/China and Mozambique met April 17-18 in Stamford, Conn., to prepare for their mission trips.
The journeys are a cooperative effort of the Women's Division and the Mission Volunteers office of the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries. They are one- to two-week mission trips that emphasize mutuality and solidarity in mission with women around the world.
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Left to right, Esther Gitobu, regional missionary in Cambodia, Lucy Kaindio, Nairobi, Kenya, and Kathie Mann, Houston, Texas, at Ubuntu Explorer team leader training. Photo by Barbara Wheeler. |
The goal of Ubuntu Explorers is to enable U.S. women to understand and experience the joys, daily life, cultures, struggles, challenges and opportunities of women from the countries they visit.
Each team is led by one or more women from the host country and a U.S. woman. These leaders met to discuss plans for their Ubuntu trips. Leaders from host countries who shared information included Ilda Guambe and Marie Garrime, Mozambique; Regional Missionary Esther Gitobu, Cambodia; Lucy Kaindio, Kenya; and Cynthia Abdon Tellez, Hong Kong/China.
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Left to right, Julie Taylor, Women's Division staff, Cynthia Abdon Tellez, Hong Kong, and Jeanie Blankenbaker, Mission Volunteers staff, will lead a team of Ubuntu Explorers in China/Hong Kong in 2008. Photo by Barbara Wheeler. |
Ubuntu is a Zulu word meaning: "I am human because you are human." United Methodist Women members participated in pilot Ubuntu Explorer journeys in 2006 to Cambodia, Cöte d'Ivoire, Uruguay and Zimbabwe.
For information on Ubuntu Explorer Journeys, contact Jeanie Blankenbaker at jbumvimny@aol.com or Marva Usher-Kerr at musherke@gbgm-umc.org. Information is also available on the Mission Volunteers website: www.missionvolunteers.org. Applications to participate in 2008 trips to Kenya, Hong Kong/China and Mozambique are being accepted.