Jacob Lief - I Am Because You Are: How the Spirit of Ubuntu Inspired an Unlikely Friendship and Transformed a Community

PRAISE FOR I AM BECAUSE YOU ARE

I Am Because You Are is more than the story of two unlikely friends with a shared passion for helping children get an education. Its a celebration of hope, resilience, and perseverance, and in Jacobs telling we see that when we make a difference in the lives of others, we transform ourselves in the process.

Arianna Huffington, chair, president, and editor-in-chief of the Hungton Post Media Group and author of Thrive

Jacob Lief has rare courage. Courage to go beyond conventional ways because he truly hears the disadvantaged young people in South Africa. Courage to be one with them and their communities. And courage to build something big and new that gives them strength in every aspect of their lives throughout their growing up. And he writes a wonderfully engaging book.

Bill Drayton, CEO, Ashoka: Innovators for the Public

I Am Because You Are shows us the power of leadership willing to defy industry constraints. Sixteen years ago, I invested seed capital into Jacobs vision, because I saw someone who could innovate in a way that would change the world.

Rob Kaplan, professor and senior associate dean, Harvard Business School; cochair, Draper Richards Kaplan; and former vice chairman, Goldman Sachs

I Am Because You Are is as fascinating and inspirational as Jacob himself. His story of creating an incredible island of hope in a South African township is told with excitement and brutal honesty. It reads both as a great memoir of a young mans journey as well as a handbook for making a difference on this planet.

Kevin Bacon, actor

I Am Because You Are tells the compelling story of how Ubuntu Education Fund became a model for social change the whole world can learn from... an institution my grandfather would be proud of and which continues to build on his legacy.

Kweku Mandela, president, Out of Africa Entertainment and cofounder, Africa Rising Foundation

When investing in a business venture, I look for creativity, capability to adapt, and leadership. Deciding which social enterprises to support is no different; I prioritise ideas, people, and innovation. I Am Because You Are proves what nonprofits can achieve when they are bold enough to integrate these business practices into their visions.

James Caan, CBE, business entrepreneur

I Am Because You Are is the improbable story of a young idealist who never lost his passion and who founded one of the most impressive social projects that I have ever seen.

William Voge, chair and managing partner, Latham & Watkins

In 2013, I visited Port Elizabeth, South Africa, with President Bill Clinton; weaving through the townships, we found our way to the Ubuntu Centre. It was an inspiring and humbling day. The power of care, aspiration, and love was so evident. I Am Because You Are brings to life the impact and ubuntu spirit that I witnessed.

Lord Rumi Verjee

Pride is the first word that came to mind [when] reading I Am Because You Are; I feel immensely privileged to have played a role, however small, in supporting Ubuntu Education Fund. What Jacob and Banks have achieved in just 16 years is remarkable; they are a worthy example for anyone who hopes to serve.

Dr. Mary Frances Berry, former chair of the US Commission on Civil Rights; Geraldine R. Segal Professor of American Social Thought and Professor of History, University of Pennsylvania

Some names and identifying characteristics of individuals in this book have been changed.

Mention of specific companies, organizations, or authorities in this book does not imply endorsement by the author or publisher, nor does mention of specific companies, organizations, or authorities imply that they endorse this book, its author, or the publisher.

Internet addresses and telephone numbers given in this book were accurate at the time it went to press.

2015 by Jacob Lief

Simultaneously published as trade hardcover and international paperback by Rodale Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any other information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher.

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Unless noted otherwise, insert photographs provided by Jacob Lief

Book design by Amy C. King

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file with the publisher.

ISBN 9781623364496 hardcover
ISBN 9781623366612 paperback
eISBN 9781623364502

We inspire and enable people to improve their lives and the world around them. rodalebooks.com

To my boys, Madiba and Freedom, for whom a better world awaits, and to Lindsay, who is the reason that I have made it this far. J. L.

To Mike and Ocie. A. T.

CONTENTS

FOREWORD

I first met Jacob Lief in January of 2006. He bounded into the lobby of my New York hotel, a young man with long, curly blond hair, an infectious smile, and a palpable passion for South Africa and for his organization, Ubuntu Education Fund. His energy took over the room. The first question I asked him was: What is a young, white American like you doing in the townships?

He answered, in the unembellished, undaunted way that I now recognize as his trademark style, Im trying to give the kids there the same kind of education you and I would give our own children.

Jacob went on to tell me the story of how he and his partner, Malizole Banks Gwaxula, began this important work. They met by chance one night in Port Elizabeth, South Africa; at the time, Jacob was still a college student, while Banks worked full-time as a teacher. After a few hours of conversation, Banks offered Jacob a place to stay and work at his school. They discovered a shared sense of purpose: to improve the lives and education of children living in the townships of Port Elizabeth. Together, they had very little to start with, but they poured themselves into canvasing the community to discover what its residents needed and wanted the most. They set out to gather donations, and their ambitious vision for changing lives inspired enormous generosity.

Soon, Jacob and Banks were providing schools with textbooks, basic supplies, and computer centers. It didnt take long, however, for the pair to realize that raw materials werent enough, and so they went about creating a support system that encouraged and enabled children to use their new resources. Later, when the community sought help in dealing with the pernicious effects of the AIDS crisis, Jacob and Banks responded with health programs and counseling. On that winter afternoon, as I listened to Jacob describe what Ubuntu Education Fund had done so far, and how much more it hoped to accomplish, I realized that it was truly embodying what its name set forth: