News
Living Ubuntu at Camphill Village by Carine Human
The article explores how Ubuntu is lived at Camphill Village West Coast, where residents and staff celebrate their differences and learn from one another. It highlights how patience, kindness and acceptance help create a strong sense of belonging and community.
In our village, we experience every day how beautiful it is that no two people are the same. Each person in our village community brings something only they can bring — a special gift, a way of seeing the world, a unique strength, a gentle kindness, a joyful laugh, a willing hand, a creative spirit. Some gifts are easy to see, and others reveal themselves quietly over time. But every single one matters. When we take time to notice and value these differences, we begin to see the richness they bring to our life together.
Our theme this month, Celebrating Differences, speaks deeply to who we are as a community. At Camphill, difference is something to be cherished. It is what makes our village vibrant, compassionate, and whole. The spirit of Ubuntu, “I am because we are,” feels very alive here. Yet in our life together, it also feels true to say: “I am more fully myself because of who you are.”
We become stronger through one another’s strengths. We learn through one another’s ways of being. We grow because we are surrounded by people who are not the same as we are. One person teaches patience. Another brings enthusiasm. One offers practical skill; another brings warmth and encouragement. Some carry wisdom quietly; others bring joy that fills a room. Each of these qualities adds something precious to the life of the village.
Of course, living in community asks something of us too. It asks for patience, understanding, respect, and kindness. These are the values that help us make space for one another. They allow us to listen more deeply, to accept one another more openly, and to meet each other with compassion.
Because of this, Camphill becomes a place where people feel they belong. One of the greatest gifts of our village is that it is a place where people can be truly themselves. There is no need for pretence. There is safety in being real. There is freedom in being accepted. And when people feel safe enough to be authentic, genuine connection begins to flourish. Here each person has value, dignity, and something meaningful to offer. Together, our differences create the beautiful tapestry of village life.
As we celebrate differences this month, we celebrate the truth that our individuality and our togetherness belong hand in hand. We honour the many unique ways each person contributes to our shared life. At Camphill Village West Coast, Ubuntu is not just an idea — it is something we live.