July Helping Hands event for Mandela Day SE Area Ofc -Twighlight Children Educational Project

On Mandela Day each year, South Africa celebrates by asking the people to do 67 minutes of service on that day.

The celebration of Mandela Day aims to serve as a global call to action for people to recognize their individual power to make an imprint and help change the world around them for the better.

"Nelson Mandela has been making an imprint on the world for 67 years, beginning in 1942 when he first started to campaign for the human rights of every South African." says the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

The foundation also says, "By devoting 67 minutes of their time - one minute for every year of Mandela's public service - people can make a small gesture of solidarity with humanity and a step forward towards a global movement for good."

So Sandile, an employee in the Southeast Africa Area Office of the Church, committed the young single adults in the ward, of which he is a Bishop, to join him at Twilight, a local orphanage and children's learning center to help clean it up, paint, etc. He came into our office one day and asked us if we would participate in a Helping Hands project on Mandela Day. We told him that we would be glad to and we came dressed for work that day.

Fezi, Carly & Kapu

Some of the ladies from the office came too. Carly, who is the best dressed girl in the office (middle) came in a dress and high heels. She said she had a meeting at 11:00, so she wouldn't have time to change. Fezi on the left came without makeup and in her work clothes, but she wasn't feeling well that day. Kapu on the right (the other diva in the office) was also dressed in her best clothes. I couldn't imagine them doing anything in those clothes, but once again, I was wrong.

Painting the building and surrounding fence

Kapu helping carry stock items

Carly painted a wall outside in her dress clothes and both she and Kapu dug right in a mopped and cleaned the kitchen before they had to leave.

Sandile getting soil ready to plant

Sandile was tackling the hard stuff.

The orphanage/school is located in Johannesburg not far from our office. It is a large rather run down building in the heart of the city. This is not only a place where the youth can sleep and eat, but there are classes teaching them how to do make things they can sell, so they can take care of themselves eventually.

Other groups there to help as well

We were so impressed by the programs they offered. Before the project began, we were able to take a short tour of the rather large facility. There was a room where jewelry was being made, another where sculpture was being taught and various other classes. There were also other organizations there helping and a TV crew filmed a government leader making a speech about Mandela Day and the project.

Courtyard of School - getting direction on tasks to be done

Lot of mopping to be done in cafeteria

Carly mopping in her high heels