In the fifth episode of “Noble Exchange,” we explore the African concept of Ubuntu. This ancient philosophy of relating to one another says, “I am because we are.”

“As we trekked through the continent what struck me most was African’s special understanding of community,” co-producer Tamara Park said. “In this show we meet people in South Africa, Rwanda and Burundi who refuse to let this compelling vision of community die. Their creativity, generosity and determination become guides to how Ubuntu can be lived out anywhere in the world.”

Here’s more about the people featured in this episode:

Abiot Madiba – Abiot could have easily become another statistic in South Africa’s criminal justice system. He landed in prison and though one out of 80 percent of prisoners return to life behind bars, there’s a strong likelihood Abiot will never go back. After connecting with an organization called Khulisa devoted to educating and counseling prisoners, he is back in his own hometown investing in youth. Abiot has started Ubuntu youth clubs, rallying young people to help build their communities. We spent a day with Abiot and the amazing youth he works with; the youth had started a farm to feed orphan kids and others were helping build a school.

• Find out more about Khulisa: http://www.khulisaservices.co.za
• Learn more about an organization that works with prisoners worldwide: Prison Fellowship International – www.pfi.org

Stacey Rozen – Though Stacey grew up as white South African in the throes of apartheid, she always had a desire to reach out to others. For Stacey, reaching out has meant using what she loves to do in a setting that was far from her comfort zone. She is an incredibly gifted artist and graphic designer. So Stacey ventured to Soweto to start her own Ubuntu club. She works with young girls—many of whom have been orphaned because of HIV/AIDS–to discover their own creative giftings.

During our visit with Stacey and these fantastic girls we were presented with “Story Scarves.” The girls each made a scarf with images of peace and love for us to give away to other youth on our journey. We got to give these scarves away to young teens in Kibera (East Africa’s largest slum), and to Twa youth living in the forest in Burundi and young girls in Uganda. Now a movement has begun.

• Learn more about story scarves: www.storyscarves.org

Edouard Bamporiki – As genocide tore through Rwanda in 1994, a 10-year-old named Edouard wrote his first poem. He called for his fellow Hutus to stop the killing of Tutsis. Ever since Edouard’s bold act as a young boy, he has been creatively calling for reconciliation and promoting peace.  While he continues to write poetry he has become a filmmaker. He appears in “Munyurangabo,” which premiered at Cannes. And Edouard has produced his own film called “Long Coat.”

• Find out more about the film “Munyurangabo” and hear one of Edouard’s poems: www.almondtreefilms.com

Liberate Nicayenzi – Next to Rwanda is Burundi. It too has a population of Hutus and Tutsis. But Liberate was born into a third people group, called Twas, or sometimes referred to as pygmies. As fear was fomenting between Hutus and Tutsis, Twas were simply disregarded. Yet growing up as a minority didn’t stop Liberate from pride in her people and big dreams for her community. She became the first Twa woman member of Burundi’s Parliament, while mothering eight children of her own and adopting 12 more, including Hutus, Tutsis and Twas.

We had the opportunity to spend a day with Liberate visiting a Twa community living in the forest of Burundi. It was a huge honor to meet her; she is one of the most remarkable women I’ve met.

• Liberate has teamed up with a faith-based organization called Amahoro Africa to help forest Twa communities. Learn more: www.amahoro-africa.org

“Noble Exchange” airs Tuesdays at 9:30pm ET. Watch other full episodes on the “Noble Exchange” show page.

More Photos from Episode 5: