Mandela Day 2014 – Lenasia, South Africa

Every year on 18 July, South Africans are encouraged to dedicate 67 minutes of their time to volunteering and social or charitable projects, honouring the 67 years Nelson Mandela dedicated to the struggle for freedom and equality in South Africa. The initiative encourages individuals and organisations to take action, inspire change and contribute towards building stronger communities.

BAPS Charities volunteers in Lenasia, south of Johannesburg, embraced the spirit of Mandela Day in 2014 by organising two community initiatives: supporting survivors of sexual violence through the preparation of essential rape-survival kits and helping to keep the local neighbourhood clean.

Supporting Women and Girls Affected by Sexual Violence

One of the key initiatives focused on providing practical support to women and girls who had experienced sexual violence.

BAPS Charities volunteers packed 450 rape-survival kits, each containing essential items including new underwear, sanitary goods and personal-hygiene products. The kits were donated to the Thutuzela Care Centre at Kopanong Hospital in Vereeniging, south of Johannesburg.

The Thutuzela Care Centre provides support to survivors of sexual violence. By supplying basic necessities at a time of trauma and vulnerability, the initiative aimed to help survivors feel cared for and supported while accessing the services available at the centre.

The kits were gratefully received by caregivers at the hospital, who thanked the volunteers for their efforts in preparing the essential supplies.

For BAPS Charities, the initiative represented more than a donation of material items. Providing necessities such as clothing, sanitary products and personal-hygiene supplies was a practical way of helping restore a sense of dignity and hope to women and girls affected by sexual violence.

Cleaning the Community

The second Mandela Day initiative focused on improving the local environment.

On the morning of Saturday, 19 July 2014, BAPS Charities volunteers spent their time cleaning the streets of Lenasia in response to the national call to make South Africa a cleaner nation.

The volunteers collected 125 bags of rubbish and waste, which were subsequently taken to the local Pikitup waste-management centre.

Through these two activities, BAPS Charities volunteers combined care for vulnerable members of the community with responsibility for the wider environment.

The Mandela Day initiatives demonstrated how volunteering can create meaningful change in different ways — from providing essential support and dignity to women and girls affected by sexual violence, to taking practical action to improve the cleanliness of the local community.