2024 Year in Review – Ubuntu Global Connections

2024 was a busy year for Ubuntu Global Connections. Among the events and initiatives we accomplished: 

Walk in Their Shoes – Growing Support – Our 5th Annual Walk in Their Shoes 5K saw inspiring growth this year. With increased participation and generous new sponsors, the event raised crucial funds for Axium Education while raising awareness of the challenges many children in rural South Africa face getting to and from school each day.

Connecting with Axium Education – We hosted Axium Co-Founder Craig Paxton and Mike Gathercole, Axium Fun(d)raising and Donor Relations, for their 6th trip to the US, which included several gatherings hosted by Ubuntu Global Connections board members and loyal supporters of Axium Education and a Trivia Night led by Tom Rutledge.

Ubuntu Buddies – We launched the Ubuntu Buddies program to support Zithulele Independent School. To date, we have 13 sponsors, each of whom donates $35 per month to support the school’s students and teachers.

Travel to South Africa – In January, founder Amy Gleason traveled to South Africa with a group of 18 women from TriCon Church in Concord, MA. They were accompanied by Mike Gathercole, who guided the group. The trip was a combination of cultural immersion, service, and tourist activities and offered the opportunity to visit and learn about five Ubuntu Global Connections partner organizations in both Cape Town and Zithulele.