I like to think that Café Ubuntu is the place we have created for our community to call home. After a long day, people can come our to our beautiful land and enjoy themselves with a nice meal, great coffee, and a glass of wine - it is the ultimate spot for relaxation and congregation in our bustling town of Maai Mahiu.

 Café Ubuntu began in 2013 as a project of Ubuntu Life in an effort to actualize our dream of becoming a fully self-sustaining organization - and we are almost there. We have created a great environment that is being appreciated by everyone in our community. And we are teaching people here that what you eat really does matter! We value things like well balanced nutrients, limited salt and sugar intake, and maintaining affordability and being culturally appropriate. We are blessed to have the best vegetables in town fresh from our very own organic farm just a few paces away from the café (we try and sneak them in wherever we can - shhhh, don't tell the kids!). We even have a specialty Green Smoothie full of fresh fruits and vegetables in it! On request, we add some fresh ginger to give an extra punch of natural anti- oxidants and anti-inflammatories. 

Having access to our own vegetable gardens means that we have more control over how the ingredients that we serve are treated and their quality. Healthier soil means healthier food! No contamination from pesticides!

WHY A CAFE?

Ubuntu Life started as a small centre for children with special needs in the Maai Mahiu community and we wish to recognize and honor the dignity of these children that were often disregarded and mistreated due to stigma in families and community. ALL of our profits (or what would be profits) support over 70 children with special needs who come to the center for therapy services and over 300 children with epilepsy or similar neurological disabilities.

Thank you so much to all who have believed in our efforts to make this café a success.

Big love,

Rubie Ruth

CAFE UBUNTU CHAPATI BURRITO recipe

To make chapati bread:

1. Combine flour and salt in a large bowl and mix well. Add water and mix thoroughly until a sticky dough forms. 
   
2. Turn dough onto a floured surface. Use the palms of your hands to knead dough until a soft elastic ball forms, about 10 minutes. Cover dough tightly with plastic wrap and let it rest for 20 minutes.
   
3. Divide dough into 4 equal parts and shape into balls. Working on a floured surface, roll dough balls into 1⁄2 inch thick 8-inch round flatbreads. Spoon 1 1⁄2 teaspoons of oil onto flatbread to coat it entirely. Tightly roll dough into itself like a fruit rollup, until you have a long snake-like tube of dough. Coil rolled dough into a tight snail-shaped disc. Flatten dough with the palm of your hand, then roll out one final time on a floured surface into an 8-inch round flatbread. Repeat with remaining chapatis.
   
4. Heat a large cast-iron (or heavy bottomed) pan over medium heat, pour in 1 tablespoon of olive oil. When oil is hot, add 1 flatbread and fry about 1 minute per side, or until golden brown and crispy. Repeat with remaining chapatis. 
   

To make burrito: 

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a non-stick pan. Once hot, add the cooked rice and fry until slightly golden and crispy.
   
2. Divide beans, fried rice and meat evenly onto the 4 chapatis. 
   
3. Slice avocado and divide evenly onto burritos. Top with cheese, sliced cucumber, shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, sliced onions or other toppings of your choice.

MEET THE TEAM

From left to right: Susan, Liz, Evans, Angel Franco (a volunteer with Austin Heal), Mercy and Lilian