What will you be doing on July 18?
Mandela Day on July 18 marks the birthday of Tata Madiba who would have turned 98 years old this year. All across the country, companies and individuals are encouraged to be extra kind and giving by spending 67 minutes bettering the lives of the less fortunate. There are many different charities and organisations that you can get involved in with your company or as an individual.
A simple search online will provide you with what seems like endless lists of charities and initiatives to get involved in and they’re all worth their salt.
Here are some favourites:
Build and erect container libraries for disadvantaged schools around South Africa
This programme is run by an internationally recognised non-profit organisation called Breadline Africa. They work in association with the Nelson Mandela Centre of memory in an effort to counter our country’s poor literacy rates. They achieve this by building these container libraries and are always looking for anyone who can offer support through physical labour, finance, donations of books and other learning resources. To get involved you can contact the director of Breadline Africa, Tim Smith by mailing director@breadlineafrica.org.za or by phoning 021 418 0322.
Care packages for the Rape Crisis Trust in Cape Town
Rape Crisis Trust in Cape Town is always looking for support and this Mandela Day you can help by creating care packages for rape survivors. The Trust is a South African organisation hoping to bring some peace to those who’ve suffered through and survived being raped. The care packages are made to attend to the needs of both adults and children, male and female and should include items such as underwear, toothbrushes and toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, body wash, face clothes, sanitary pads and nappies. All items must be new and in their sealed packaging. You can volunteer to sort through, decorate and fill the care packs or simply donate the items or even money to assist this cause. Contact Shahida Rahman on 021 447 1467 to find out more.
Help the popular Twitter Blanket Drive to grow even bigger
It’s really appropriate that Mandela Day falls in the middle of winter and our rainy season. For seven years the South African Twitter community has come together to donate thousands upon thousands of blankets to hand out to the poor. Many charities around the country hand out blankets throughout the year and yet when the cold wet weather arrives they can’t always keep up with the demand. The Twitter Blanket Drive initiative hopes to change that by supporting these charities and collecting and handing out as many blankets as possible. To find out more you can visit the brand new website for this project, www.twitterblanketdrive.co.za.
Spending your 67 minutes with any one of these organisations would be an incredible experience but you can also make some small differences in your day on July 18 (and everyday after really)
Buy a hot cup of coffee for the homeless man you see everyday on your way to work, buy some lunch for the carguard, clear out your old clothes and books and drop these off at your local hospice, youth centre or orphanage.
Spend the day in the spirit of kindness and smile at everyone you meet throughout the day. You’ll never know but your smile could be the one good thing they experience that day.