Here are some more ideas for all us based in Cape Town Tara; How to get involved on Mandela Day 2013: Paint a pre-school. The folks at the Centre for Early Childhood Development and See-Saw-Do will identify pre-schools in need of a makeover, and, once a theme is decided together with the principal, the organisations will prep and prime the walls for volunteers to come and paint on Thursday, 18 July 2013. Contact Lauren van Niekerk on +27 (0)21 683 2420 or email cecd@iafrica to find out how you can get involved in providing a fun, beautiful learning environment for young children in the Western Cape. Participate in one of the Boundless Heart Foundation Projects. The Boundless Heart Foundation, a non-profit organisation that aims to support the homeless, abused and aged in Cape Town, has organised a few events that volunteers can get involved in for Mandela Day 2013. Email [email protected] to find out how to get involved Partner with the Animal Rescue Organisation. On Mandela Day the Animal Rescue Organisation will be running a One Health project that looks to better animal healthcare, human healthcare and environmental sustainability. On the day, community members are invited to clean up the area in the Southern Suburbs where the organisation is based; for every bag of litter filled, participants get a cup of soup and a roll. What’s more, a mobile clinic service will be set up by in the car park of the Animal Rescue Organisation, and pet owners can bring their animals to be dewormed, vaccinated or treated by veterinarians. Call +27 (0)21 396 5511 or visit Animalrescue.org.za for more information. Volunteer with the South African Riding for the Disabled Association (SARDA). You don’t have to be a riding expert to help out this NPO, which provides free horse riding lessons for about 200 people living with disabilities. The programme is entirely dependent on volunteers and fundraising, and each rider may need up to three volunteers to assist during one of the free weekly classes. Apply at Sarda.co.za. Light up an ill child’s life. Be a friend to a sick little one, and team up with the Friends of the Children’s Hospital Association (Tel: +27 (0)21 658 5243), the voluntary support group of the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in Rondebosch. With the help of toy trolleys, educational games and other fun goodies, spend 67 minutes giving love and comfort to some of the children who need it most. Buy the Big Issue. Just do it; don’t pretend you have a copy stowed away somewhere in your secret garden when a vendor comes past. Forking out the cash is a small thing, but it’ll make a big difference; as the proverbial saying goes, “the change is in your pocket”. Or, for that matter, spare R2 for the folks selling the ‘Funny Money’ pamphlets – you may even get a chuckle out of it. Neighbourly love. Live next door to a single parent? See if you can babysit for an evening. Otherwise, visit a lonely elderly pensioner for a cup of tea, and while you’re there, change blown light bulbs, or give them a hand with another household chore that needs attention. The trick here is to keep your eyes open, and to notice the people around you. The gift of life. Donate blood at your local hospital, and you’ll feel dizzy with the knowledge that you’ve potentially saved someone’s life; a single donation could aid up to three people in need and only takes about 30 minutes. To find a blood drive in your area on Mandela Day, visit the Western Province Blood Transfusion Service (Tel: +27 (0)21 507 6300). Alternatively, there are currently thousands of South African citizens waiting for life-saving organ donations, so take the time to register with the Organ Donor Foundation (Tel: +27 (0)800 22 66 11). Volunteer at an animal shelter. Our furry and feathered friends need a helping hand too. Whether you’re walking a dog, cleaning out cages, or brainstorming a fundraising campaign, your time and energy will go highly appreciated.
Posted on: Wed, 17 Jul 2013 12:44:12 +0000
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