Our Process

Our model integrates the proceeds from each item sold into implementing a human-first program and co-building a community centered space. Kuluntu practices the principles of radical Ubuntu. Radical Ubuntu is the process of transforming the world with and from people towards a more dignity-centered, just and liberated society. This world cannot be built within traditional models in which domination occurs when decisions are made for people, without people, for practice on people.

Kuluntu’s approach is always to work from and with people, centering people, communities and the environment throughout program development, implementation and evaluation. Adapting the participatory ideas of Paulo Freire, Sally Timmel and Anne Hope, our methodology works to dismantle from the roots of injustice. We work to collaborate to enhance local self-reliant community development efforts and link such efforts within wider national and global civil society. We are committed to bringing this world of liberation to life in the present moment.

If you are a customer or community member, we would love to hear your voice by completing this survey. If you would like to participate in a listening survey, please email kuluntubakery@gmail.com.

Milestones

  • Listening Survey
    • Conducted listening surveys with fourteen food industry stakeholders, including food workers, managers and local, small business owners
    • Launched a community survey in September 2022
  • Focus Group
    • Focus group scheduled with food workers, managers and small business owners in November 2022
    • A second focus group with food industry professionals is scheduled for February 2023
  • Indaba scheduled for April 2023
    • For this event, we are working with an advisor, Josephine Kasande, who is a Uganda-based Gender, Development & Environment consultant specializing in inclusive community activism, policy analysis and advocacy. 
  • Our board member, Warren, is currently enrolled in a year-long Training for Transformation course which teaches community-centered development and is based in Kleinmond, South Africa.

Photo by Kelsey Foster Photography

What does community building mean to us?

Community building is commonly defined as the creation of a group of people with social and psychological ties. For us, community building digs deeper. It is the formation of a group of open-minded, accepting people that will lift each other up. It is cross-cultural, intersectional, and breeds understanding and empathy for others. This expansive definition of community is what we mean when we say “us”. 

At its heart, Kuluntu Bakery breaks down barriers through education and collaboration. We focus on women because we believe wholeheartedly that women are the center of a just, equitable and peaceful world. 

Why the food industry? Why women?

The wellbeing of a community is directly proportional to the status of women in that space. Women are the center of society. Yet, because of bias, violence, policies and structures, women occupy the margins of society. 

The food industry reflects these intersecting barriers to women. It is the largest minimum wage employer in the country with the majority of those workers being women, and disproportionately women of color. Women in these spaces report high levels of sexual harassment, poverty wages, and exploitation.

Kuluntu Bakery is in the building stages and is in the process of undergoing a listening survey with the community, women food workers and food industry stakeholders.

We are excited to continue working towards our mission and fulfilling our vision.