Plett Volunteers – Mandela Day Activities, 18th july 2020
Plett Volunteers is not just about providing food relief – it’s also about long-term, sustainable projects for a better life in our communities.
This year’s Mandela Day marked one of those important activities. This is how it all started, with a post by Jill Mouat the day before:
“Hi, I am organising, in conjunction with our Soup Kitchen Angels, that the children of Green Valley take Ownership and with pride to do 60 mins of cleaning up their Community tomorrow in Madiba’s memory. They will use our old 25 kg bulk bags to collect, so we recycling as well. They will then get soup, Epap or JAM. Let’s see how we get on !!!!!”
Did it work? Well, see for yourself – here’s Jill’s report-back from Green Valley the following day:
“Our Soup Kitchen Angels (that’s what I call them and it is the name of our Whatsapp group), cleaning up this morning for Madiba.
“I thought that it was important that this was done without volunteers.
“They need to take ownership and set the example to the others in their community.”
Moreover, the idea had already caught on and the In-Charges of other areas had promoted similar activities among their constituencies.
One of them was Tanya Hyde who sent us this report from her areas (Bossiesgif, Qolweni, Pinetrees):
“What is Mandela Day? What does it mean? It is a global call to action!
We celebrate the fact that each individual has the power to transform the world, the ability to make an impact.
In Plett, we have seen not only 67 minutes for Mandela but 67 days PLUS during this pandemic where locals have MADE A DIFFERENCE! We are truly #proudlysouthafrican and #proudlyplett.
Today our team handed out beanies, blankets, sandwiches, ePap, dogfood, and treats. We are going to get through this together guys.
Yes, it has been a scary time, but we have all had time to reflect on what is important in our lives! Thank you to everyone who has supported us, supported the cause, who have helped us make a difference. Happy Mandela Day to you all.
Let’s continue doing our best to make a difference every single day, whether it be a kind word to a stranger, paying it forward, or stepping up when someone needs a shoulder to cry on. We do have the power to transform this country.
BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THIS WORLD!”
And yes, of course, the usual business of securing, storing, and distributing food supplies goes on!
Here’s a video that was taken on Madiba Day at the Methodist Church by Rob Bokelmann – and as I write this on Monday morning, 20 July, there’s already the next call to action by Rob :
“Still waiting for the exact time of the drop this morning from the Click Foundation.
I have 10 tons arriving. Its 1kg bags of fortified porridge – which is perfect for distribution from our Soup Kitchens in all areas. The second I get the time of arrival of the truck I will post.
Please see what hands could be spared and send them along to Church for offload.”