“I Am Because We Are” – The Ubuntu Philosophy That Changed Everything
In January 2023, what began as a documentary viewing session in our dormitory at St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju became the catalyst for something far greater than any of us could have imagined. The Ubuntu Network was born not from a classroom assignment or community service requirement, but from a profound realization: the interconnectedness of human potential transcends geographical boundaries.
The name “Ubuntu” carries deep meaning from African philosophy – “I am because we are.” This concept would later prove essential to my understanding of adaptive sports psychology, where individual achievement is meaningless without community support and collective growth.
The Spark: From Documentary to Action
The documentary that changed our perspective wasn’t just about educational inequality in Uganda – it revealed something deeper about human resilience and potential. Watching children our age persevere despite lacking basic educational resources, proper athletic equipment, and even adequate footwear struck me profoundly.
But what captured my attention most was a brief segment showing children with physical disabilities being excluded from sports activities. This moment planted the first seeds of my interest in adaptive athletics and inclusive sports programming – an interest that would eventually lead me to Paralympic swimming advocacy.
Building More Than Just Support Systems
Our approach from day one was different from traditional charity models. Rather than simply sending donations, we focused on building sustainable partnerships that emphasized mutual learning and cultural exchange. This philosophy would later influence my approach to working with Paralympic athletes – understanding that support must be bidirectional and culturally sensitive.
Over our first year, the tangible results spoke volumes:
- 200 pairs of shoes collected through our Jeju community campaign
- School bus funding that improved transportation access for 80+ children
- Direct educational programming reaching Hope Hill School students
But numbers only tell part of the story. Each interaction taught us about resilience, determination, and the universal nature of human potential – lessons that would prove invaluable in my later work with adaptive sports communities.
The Cultural Exchange Breakthrough
The true breakthrough came when we invited two outstanding Ugandan students, RUHINDA REHEMA FAVOUR and NAKIMULI GRACIOUS, to Jeju for a two-week cultural exchange program. Accompanied by Hope Hill School founder Mr. Choi Taeyong and local teacher BALUNGI DICKSON KIGOZI, their visit became a transformative experience for all involved.
What struck me most was their participation in our swimming program at St. Johnsbury Academy. Despite having limited previous exposure to formal swimming instruction, both students demonstrated remarkable adaptability and enthusiasm. This experience opened my eyes to the universal appeal of aquatic sports and their potential as tools for building confidence and community connection.
Their visit included:
- Cultural immersion at Jeju Folk Village and Africa Museum
- Educational facility tours and classroom observations
- Swimming program participation – a highlight that sparked my interest in water-based community building
- Interactive sessions with local students and families
The Ripple Effect
Perhaps the most significant outcome of our Ubuntu Network work has been its influence on institutional change. St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju incorporated international exchange programming into its regular curriculum, and similar service clubs have emerged in other Jeju schools.
But the personal impact runs deeper. Working with the Ubuntu Network fundamentally shifted my understanding of leadership, community engagement, and the interconnected nature of global challenges. These insights would prove essential as I began exploring adaptive sports psychology and Paralympic athlete support systems.
The brightest smiles and most enthusiastic learning attitudes of the Hope Hill School children remain our most valuable achievement. These young faces remind us daily that meaningful change happens one relationship, one conversation, one shared experience at a time.
Looking Forward: From Uganda to Paralympic Pools
As I continue my journey toward sports psychology research and Paralympic advocacy, the Ubuntu philosophy remains central to my approach. The same principles that guided our work in Uganda – community partnership, cultural humility, and sustainable impact – now inform my efforts to create inclusive opportunities in adaptive athletics.
The children of Hope Hill School may be thousands of miles away, but their resilience and determination continue to inspire my commitment to breaking down barriers and building bridges through the universal language of sports and human connection.
“I am because we are” – in the pool, in the classroom, and in every community we have the privilege to serve.
About this series: This post is part of my ongoing documentation of community engagement and Paralympic advocacy work. Follow along as we explore the intersection of sports psychology, cultural exchange, and adaptive athletics.
