By Caren Davids | Head of Governance and Impact
Ubuntu is a South African word meaning “I am because we are.” It reflects the heart of the Ubuntu Girls Yoga Project — the belief that when one person grows, the whole community is strengthened. Our project brings African-flavoured yoga to rural communities just outside Kruger National Park, where access to education, livelihoods, and wellness practices is limited. Through culturally grounded yoga and community-led leadership, we are creating new pathways for girls and women to thrive. As we look forward to the many yoga classes we will host in 2026, we celebrate both our progress and the promise of the journey ahead.
Yoga offers far more than physical exercise for young girls. It provides a foundation for emotional strength, confidence, and self-awareness. Through regular practice, girls learn to manage stress, regulate their emotions, and develop a positive relationship with their bodies. Yoga teaches focus, discipline, and patience, qualities that support success in school and in life. It also creates safe spaces where girls feel respected, heard, and valued. In these spaces, they learn that their voices matter and their dreams are worth pursuing.
When girls practice yoga, they begin to understand their own power. They discover that strength comes not only from muscles, but from breath, balance, and belief in themselves. As they grow in confidence, they become leaders within their families and communities.
With the support of donors and community partners, the Ubuntu Girls Yoga Project has already made meaningful progress. Local women have been trained as instructors and wellness practitioners, opening new pathways to income and leadership. Yoga has been introduced into schools and community spaces, helping children improve their physical health and emotional resilience. Participants report increased self-confidence, reduced stress, and stronger social connections. Each trained instructor multiplies the project’s impact by sharing knowledge, mentorship, and inspiration with others.
When we strengthen one girl, we strengthen a whole community
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
