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Let us begin by saying Sawubona, a Zulu word that translates as "I see you." It speaks to the necessity that in one being seeing another, we owe each other something. Sawubona is an invitation to create a relationship for the future, to express gratitude we have met. We find ourselves interrupted by certain situations in our lives that force us to come to terms with life inside us. There are many paths to entering one's life, for those of us at ShadeTree Multicultural Foundation, we have chosen to enter our lives by taking an interest in human suffering - to understand the time in which we live and how to give to it in such a way that we can resolve some of the struggles that human beings encounter living in this time.

ShadeTree Multicultural Foundation is a unique organization rooted in indigenous wisdom and practices applied through contemporary methods to mentor the human potential and create intentional communities. ShadeTree draws on the ancient practice of Indaba, a Zulu tradition of “deep talk”, through which conversation returns to its old meaning of soulful communication where essential but hidden aspects of the individual and community are revealed.

ShadeTree grew out of the inspiration of Orland Bishop to provide “sanctuary”, an agreement of the heart accomplished through the process of giving context and meaning for the recovery and coherence of the Self. Sanctuary is a vital flow from the symbolic intention of the heart to the practical spaces of the world that nourishes the human potential and growth of community. It is the touch of significance that highlights the purpose of life and the will of living it fully. Sanctuary becomes the authentic ground upon which the individual is firmly welcomed, touched and cared for, allowing the language of the soul to speak its way into the world.

ShadeTree's work is accomplished through several intertwining yet distinct branches of service. These branches, which include mentoring of potential, restoring vital wellness, and creation of supportive communities, allow the opportunities to awaken to something that lives in us as an absolute intention of clarifying life: for hosting not just our own spirit, but the spirit of the other; to welcome passion for doing good, to choose beauty, and awaken to truth.