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To the great Zulu people of South Africa, Ubuntu means humanity. Ubuntu, Utu, Unhu, Ibuntu, are all variations of the same word used by the people of Malawi, Kenya, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. In most Bantu languages it also translates to “I am what I am because of who we all are”. This concept that humanity is simply a shared connection with all people is the brilliance of the Ubuntu philosophy.
Equally, humanitarian efforts are simply about a shared connection, a shared community, and helping one person in that community benefits all members within it. Thus, everyone can be a humanitarian. Whether at a local level or assisting with international efforts, helping others ultimately benefits everyone.
This definition of humanity challenges the typical canonical view of humanitarian work that must be surrounded by crises, wars, and natural disasters. Humanitarian work is all of the above but also anything that benefits another human in your shared community, no matter the size or locale. Donating to a local food bank, volunteering at a shelter, or simply helping your friend and neighbor. We can all be humanitarians by just a simple tweak of our understanding of this definition.
Let’s learn from this and exercise Ubuntu each and every day.
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This content is brought to you by HunMi Pak
Photo by Magda Ehlers
