How to make a contribution on Mandela Day? Here are a few cool places to volunteer your time and compassion and help those in need:
Durban:
The Rising Sun calls on well-wishers, philanthropists, community organisations and the corporate sector in Durban to be part of an innovative Food for Life kitchen refurbishment project.
“Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity, it is an act of justice.”
In keeping with these profound words by former president, Nelson Mandela, the Rising Sun Community Newspapers encourages all residents, businesses and non-profit organisations to spare 67 minutes of their time on Mandela Day (July 18) to assist and contribute towards a worthy kitchen refurbishment project opposite the Post Office on Bhaktivedanta Swami Circle in Chatsworth. Read more here.
Midrand:
Kitty and Puppy Haven is an NGO is looking for help in creating 4 puppy playing areas, which need to be enriched with astro turf, hanging tyres, puppy beds, trees, logs and many other puppy needs. On Mandela day you can go and pitch in and make a difference. Read more here.
Cape Town:
Breadline Africa and Archbishop Tutu & the Leah Tutu Foundation has joined forces with the V & A Waterfront management , where on Mandela day there will be a 67 minute reading-relay and a hand over of the container libraries to Masande Educare. Donations of educational materials and blankets are most welcome. They will be set up at the Clock Tower in the V & A Waterfront, where Bishop Tutu will give a talk, then visiting children can paint Artworks for R67 for 67 minutes. These artjamming artworks will be used to decorate the children’s wing of Somerset Hospital. Read more here.
Canal Walk:
Stop Hunger Now is helping to assemble meal packages for unregistered crèches, this project is taking place at Canal Walk, they are looking for volunteers to help pack for 67 minutes. Read more here.
Brackenfell:
Endorphins for Orphans invites you to a day of festivities on Mooiplaas Wine Estate, just outside of Brackenfell, on Saturday the 19th July and take part in a trail cycle, a run or a walk to raise funds for Newkidsz on the Block, a non-profit organisation for orphaned and vulnerable children who are placed with foster homes. Spend a day on the farm, and enjoy the festival atmosphere with olives, cheese and wine tasting.
“As we let our light shine, we give other people permission to do the same.”
This Marianne Williamson quote was mentioned by Madiba during his inaugural speech. Children were a very special part of Madiba’s day – here is a wonderful way to give back on this special day. Read more here.
Valkenberg Hospital:
Friends of Valkenberg is looking for volunteers to coordinate the collection of all sorts of clothing and goods, which will then be sold in their shop to raise funds. Email here for more info or read more here.
Hout Bay:
Domestic Animals Rescue Group (DARG) is a pro-life organization, rescuing, caring for, sterilise and re-homing pets. Volunteers can paint, clean, brush and walk abandoned animals for the day on the 18th July. Volunteers are in need to assist them in their daily chores. Anyone who loves animals and is 18 or over, can come help. Read more here.
Cape Town:
- The Cape Town Beach Clean Up will be at Joe Slovo Park and will be cleaning up three parks. They need volunteers to come and join them. Read more here.
- Go to the Knit-a-thon at Mandela Rhodes Place, pop in between 11am and 4pm. Here they are knitting and croqueting squares, and making blankets for children with cancer. Little Fighters Cancer Trust will be the beneficiary of these blankets. Read more here.
- Help Habitat for Humanity build 67 houses in one week. Individuals and organisations are asked to donate their time or money to help Habitat for Humanity and the Nelson Mandela Foundation build 67 houses for people living in Pelican Park from Monday, 14 July to Friday, 18 July. Volunteers don’t have to be experts and can expect to get involved with tasks like cement mixing, brick passing and plastering and bagging walls. Contact Adrienne Burke at [email protected] for more information.
Khayelitsha:
Go and help build dog kennels in Khayelitsha from wooden pallets, for Mdzananda Animal Clinic. Other activities include: clinic cage painting, clinic facility painting, arranging charity shop, gift card packing and planting. Corporates: Friday 18th, Private Individuals: Saturday 19th. Read more here.
Noordhoek:
Join the knit-a-thon at Noordhoek Farm Village. Knit a square, or even just a section of a square, that will go towards making blankets for Madisencane Crèche in Masiphumelele. The area was recently devastated by a fire, and the little ones need to keep warm during winter. People can also donate wool or funds to buy wool, and if they have more time, they can even knit scarves, socks or gloves to give to the children. The box of yarn with knitting goods will be at the bandstand between 9am and 4pm every day from Friday, 11 July until Mandela Day, and completed squares can be dropped off at the Noordhoek Tourism Office. Email [email protected] for more information.
Hout Bay:
Give the planet a gift, plant a tree with Greenpop. 67 trees will be planted for their Mandela Day project at Mandela Park in Hout Bay. Visitors and locals can share in the day by donating a tree for R100, or sharing the day with the children from Ikhaya LeThemba, assisting them to plant trees and receive earth awareness education. Read more here.
Whatever you do with the right attitude will be a blessing to those you help and even more so to yourself. Have fun and celebrate the spirit of Madiba!
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