Needy benefit from Mandela Day
South African Ambassador John Qwelan looks on as a volunteer takes a child through physiotherapy at Katalemwa Cheshire Home for Rehabilitation centre yesterday. This was part of the activities to mark Mandela Day. Photo by Rachel Mabala.
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Joining the world to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s 95th birthday, the South African High Commission led charity activities, including cleaning, donations, counselling and playing with children at Katalemwa Chelshire children’s Home in Kampala.
As the world celebrated Mandela Day yesterday, in Uganda, participants at Katalemwa Cheshire Home for Rehabilitation services (KCH) spared 67 minutes to clean surroundings of the children’s home and play with the disabled children.
The event organised by the South African High Commission called on participants to make every day a Mandela Day.
The South African High Commissioner to Uganda, Mr Jon Qwelane, urged people to take off time to help humanity, especially the vulnerable in society, just as Mandela did for more than half his life.
“In all his life, Mandela spent 67 years working towards the liberation of South Africa. A couple of years ago, the UN dedicated July 18, also Mandela’s birthday, and asked that each person should dedicates at least 67 minutes for humanity activities, to represent Mandela’s 67 years,” Mr Qwelane said.
KCH provides physical and social rehabilitation services for disabled children and their parents, with the aim of restoring hope to families.
In Entebbe
Meanwhile in Entebbe, officials from the United Nations Regional Service Centre marked Mandela’s 95th birthday by dedicating 67 minutes of doing charitable works to Early Learning School in Entebbe Town.
Led by the just-appointed service mission chief, Mr Fergusson Houstom, the officials painted school buildings, offered scholastic materials and foodstuffs.
“This is a known UN International day in recognition of the former South African president’s contribution to the culture of peace and freedom,” Mr Hustom said.
He added that by devoting 67 minutes – one minute for every year of Mandela’s public service – people can make a small gesture of solidarity with humanity and step towards a global movement for good.
