Happy Kwanzaa - Ujima (Collective work and responsibility)

On this third day of Kwanzaa we celebrate the principle Ujima (collective work and responsibility). To build and maintain our community together and make our brother's and sister's problems our problems and solve them together.

I can remember when I first came to this country as a little girl, families and friends used to help each other move house, look after each other's children, cook, wash and clean the home if you were ill. Friends and family would rally around and make sure you were looked after. To me this was the spirit of Ujima.

Somehow as a community we have lost this community bond and now we (if you are lucky) make do with a phone call, a text or an e-mail.

Today I will take basic steps to re-connect with family, friends and others so we can start again to build a caring community.