Every year, on 18 July, South Africans are encouraged to spend 67 minutes of their time to volunteer their services for social and charitable projects. This is to acknowledge the life of the late SA president, Nelson Mandela, whose life was dedicated to the freedom struggle in South Africa. South Africans are asked to involve themselves in local and national projects aimed at uplifting communities with the aim of making a difference. The call to ‘take action, inspire change and to make everyday a Mandela Day’ resonates strongly with the values of BAPS Charities. BAPS Charities volunteers in Cape Town, responded to this call by by building a mini-library for children at the Zanokhanyo Childrens home in Khayalitsha.
Taking inspiration from Nelson Mandela’s words, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”, BAPS Charities volunteers visited the home on Sunday, 20 July 2014 and spent the day building two bookshelves. The volunteers also donated a variety of books catering for different age groups. From children’s bedtimes stories and novels for the teenagers, to non fictional books to help them with school projects. In addition, educational games and puzzles were donated for group activities within their home. In total just over 100 books were donated on the day.
Further to setting up the small library, BAPS Charities volunteers also donated vouchers to be used towards the purchase of school clothing for the children. A hot meal was also provided on the day.
