the UBUNTU expedition A trail-blazing journey, exploring common purpose, and creating shared value by engaging British Warriors and Samburu Warriors, in search of ancient ways for modern days.
“In Africa there is a concept known as ‘ubuntu’ ... the profound sense that we are human only through the humanity of others. If we are to accomplish anything in this life it will in equal measure be due to the work and achievements of others.” -Nelson Mandela
“A person with Ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, for he or she has a proper self-assurance that Text comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished, when others are tortured or oppressed.�
the UBUNTU expedition - is an initiative developed by Gary Waterworth Owen and Eva Hamilton MBE, and facilitated by ResponseAbility Alliance allies - using valued cultures and cultural values, wilderness, and the spirit of ‘ubuntu’ as a positive force for creating shared value, to support community based development and nature conservation in Kenya, and to enhance personal and social responsibility in the UK.
the UBUNTU expedition Rationale: Many British ‘warriors’ do not feel like heroes. They are suffering from deep emotional trauma following intense experiences in the field and have found it increasingly difficult to transition back into normal civilian life. Some of them have become homeless, addicted to alcohol and drugs and suffering from depression and PTSD. These issues, do not only impact them personally, it also impacts their immediate and extended families and the whole of society is poorer for it.
‘If you want to go quickly-go alone. If you want to go far-go together.’ - African proverb
These men - through their lives, work and writing have born testament over and over again to the ancient link between humanity and nature and how within our fast moving cultures of today much of this link has been forgotten. Wilderness is an instrument for enabling us to recover our lost capacity. Those of us who have spent time in the wilderness are aware of the fact that there is something more to wilderness than we ourselves can express.
Top clockwise: Sir Laurens van der Post, Dr. Ian Player, Prof. Carl Meier, Sir Wilfred Thesiger
This is rooted perhaps in the effect that wilderness has on human beings who have become estranged from nature, who live in industrialised environments and are therefore estranged in a sense from their natural selves. Wilderness has a profound impact on them, as well as on those of us more familiar with it.
the UBUNTU expedition, aims to help selected participants gain more clarity, focus and alignment in their lives and future careers. -To help them identify and realise that they, their training and experience has value - that their past has not been in vain and that they have a responsibility to get involved and contribute to the betterment of society. -To raise their levels of awareness of the global challenges of Responsible, Environmentally Aware Leadership, Responsible Water Stewardship, Global Citizenship and Universal Values, Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility, Design for Social Impact, Climate Change, and the urgent need to preserve Biodiversity and increase Nature Conservation.
-To provide them with proven personal development and leadership inputs, while on a unique journey that will broaden their horizons, speed up their rehabilitation, enhance personal responsibility and strengthen their resilience. -To inspire and equip them to return home, eager to embed effective and innovative solutions to the global challenges now confronting every individual, company and community on planet earth. -To inspire them to assume roles of ‘ubuntu’ ambassadors and in-turn inspire others to lengthen their stride towards a more just, equitable and sustainable society.
The 2 week UBUNTU expedition is to be filmed and documented. Ten selected British Warriors will team up with Samburu Warriors / Scouts, along with a team of expert guides and a string of camels. Incredible territory will be navigated and traversed including the Matthews Range, the Ndotos Mountains, Mt. Nyiru (located on the edge of the Great Rift Valley - the sacred mountain of the Samburu people and the heart of their territorial homeland), Ol Donyo Mara, passing through the spectacular valleys of these dramatic 'Islands in the Desert’, as well as navigating a number of enormous luggas, including the great Milgis, Seiya, and Parsaloi. Samburu is situated in the arid and semi-arid area of the Rift Valley Province of Kenya. The Lorroki Plateau in central Samburu acts as an important water catchment for the surrounding arid areas and serves as an area for dry season grazing for the Samburu people.
The expedition will provide opportunities 24/7 to share life skills, to explore and discover common meaning and purpose, while simultaneously engaging with model Milgis Trust community based development and nature conservation projects.
Water Health Sanitation
Conservation Education Biodiversity
Climate Change
and discover what it takes to be a Samburu Warrior!
Pedagogical training insights developed by ResponseAbility Alliance allies, provide an in-depth journey from discouragement, through encouragement towards courage. Insights include: The Map is NOT the Territory - Territory Mapping. Exploring Global Realities - Joining the DOTS and Blind Spots. Sustainability - There is no PLANet B! Rebooting Leadership. The New 3 R’s - Respect, Responsibility and Rights. Sustainability Beyond Kumbaya - Reinventing Management. Culture Conscious Conservation. Roots, Shoots and Fruits - You Can’t Enjoy the Fruits Without Taking Care of the Roots. The Eureka Experience Overcoming ‘Normalcy Bias’ and Becoming ‘Black Swan’ Resilient. Trials, Trails and Triumph - The difference between ‘try’ and ‘triumph’ is a little ‘umph’. Goals, Guts and Greatness - Develop Your Ab’s (Abilities to Respond). Lengthen Your Stride and Walk Your Talk and LifeMAP(Meaning And Purpose)Legacy.
For more information,visit: www.responseabilityalliance.com