Unity Through Community

Twenty-one years ago I journeyed to South Africa for a Rotary International funding program. As president of a local New York Club I had the opportunity of co-sponsoring a feeding plan for at-risk 7th grade children.  Nelson Mandela had mandated free lunches for children up to grade 7 to encourage them to stay in school, and break the cycles of poverty, joblessness, and violence.

Unfortunately, just when the children were coming of age, the food stopped. A young woman who had grown up in an upper-class South African background had returned to her school there and went on a field trip to Soweto- a poverty-stricken area of Johannesburg. She inquired why some children were eating lunch and others were on a nearby hill not eating. She procured some initial funding from Pfizer to start a pilot program at one school to feed those students. The cost (in U.S. dollars) was only $5/day per student. It kept those children in school, and as such, helped provide the necessary education for better jobs, etc. Starting with my local (Pleasantville, NY) club, and working my way up the Rotary chain- including Rotary International, South African clubs etc., we were able to raise well over $120K, and provide a kickstart for over a dozen schools and feeding thousands. The program is called The Lunch Box Fund, and it still ongoing, and has provided millions of meals to many thousands of children. 

I remember, as I boarded the plane to Johannesburg, the feeling that I would be receiving much more than I was bringing. It was true at every level. Perhaps the most valuable long-term gift to me was the introduction to the concept of “Ubuntu”. The word used in many African countries (and variations of spelling) basically meant that a person’s identity was inextricably tied up with their community. Their identity was derived from being part of the group. There was no singular/isolated “I”. This translated as magically/mystically being able to provide food for more, if more was needed. In my Christian background, this was a modern example of taking 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes and feeding a multitude. I saw it demonstrated time and time again. They would spread the food a wee bit further, or the food providers would donate extra beyond the order. It was less mystical and more just sharing because the group allowed it, and it was needed. The strong feeling I was left with was that it was a practical result of living in a group-consciousness state of being. 

In my early college studies of self-actualization models, I saw a large rift between the individualistic approaches of the West, and the group consciousness approaches of the East. In Africa, with Ubuntu, this division was solved. And it worked! 

As I write this, I am getting ready for a weekend event here in Otis, at the CenterPoint sanctuary, a program called: “Unity through Community”. There will be musicians, poets, a dancer, meditations, and much good food. The Berkshires provides ample opportunities for culture. Yet, there are “silos”. One of the important parts of the CenterPoint Mission is to help break down these individualistic identities of each cultural center/venue and find ways to show the benefits of working together. Not so easy it is (thank you Yoda). 

For me, caring is sharing. When we find common ground, common cause, we can get more done, for more people, with greater impact. We live in a time of terrible divisiveness. Many of us are reacting strongly to this- particularly in the political sphere. But we are not helplessly and hopelessly adrift in a sea of mental garbage, rudderless and engineless. We do need to take action…but we need to do it together. 

It is really not that difficult, especially if we take an “Ubuntu”-type of approach. We are in this together, so let’s get together and do something…together. There are innumerable opportunities for service. Find something near to your HeartMind. Make it part of your Life Plan, part of your regularly scheduled programming. Last year, CenterPoint was able to generate thousands of dollars to local food banks. We have plans this year for other areas of fundraising as well- particularly housing. I can guarantee that the Joy of participation will stay with you long after the efforts. 

We are rapidly coming to the end of Summer, but with the Fall approaching- think of the Harvest. Join in a project whose “seeds” have been planted (by others) and help bring benefits to others in need. Enjoy the process as well.