We all love Mandela Day, right? Inspired by the late Nelson Mandela who spent 67 years fighting for South Africa’s democratic freedom, this great initiative encourages South Africans to do something for just 67 minutes to make a difference in a community that is under-resourced and under-privilege.
This year, however, why not do something that goes beyond just 67-minutes and that will make an impact for most of the year. If you’re not sure where to start or what to do, we’ve got five ideas for you below. Come on, let’s do this!
- Sign up to be a regular volunteer
Most non-profit organisations are on the look out for volunteers to assist throughout the year, not only on Mandela Day. So, if you have been involved with an organisation in the past (maybe a previous Mandela Day) where you were moved and inspired to make a difference, why not consider giving them more of your time on a regular basis by signing up to be a volunteer? “Regular” doesn’t need to be every week; it could be once a month, once every two months or once a term. Chat to the organisation that you choose and find out what their needs are in terms of volunteers. You may just be the person that changes everything and helps impact more people!
If you’re not sure where to start, then head on over to For Good (www.forgood.co.za) for a list of organisations throughout South Africa that can do with another helping hand.
- Give to organisations that make a real impact
We get it: it is often much easier to give towards the person who is begging at the traffic light – surely your small change will help them in their plight? This, however, is just a quick solution and doesn’t address the real need. It’s better to rather give towards organisations that address the overall issues of homelessness, poverty and unemployment, and that are assisting in empowering people through skills development. Ultimately, the R100 that you were going to give towards the homeless over a course of a month can actually assist an organisation in reaching a number of people and help make a real difference in these people’s lives.
We also understand that not everyone can always afford to donate financially; instead, look into donating clothes or food to organisations that will use it to benefit those who need it the most.
Again, head on over to For Good (www.forgood.co.za) for a list of organisations that you can donate to financially or through other means.
- Donate your time
Many non-profit organisations cannot always afford the employ the help of highly skilled organisations as funds are often limited and focused on assisting in more urgent needs. So, if you’re trained in a specific skill – whether it be marketing, social media marketing, IT or even accounting – why not offer your skills and services for free to an organisation that requires it.
Chat to a few organisations that inspire you to see if they have a need where you have the skill; if they don’t need your services, they might know of an organisation that can do with your help.
- Engage with someone
They say that charity often start at home – have you ever looked around your immediate sphere to see who may need a positive role model? It may be your neighbour’s teenager or your domestic worker’s child, the teller at the supermarket who you chat to every week when you do your grocery shopping or your grandmother who is in an old age home? Engage with those in your community who might not be in need (be it physically or emotionally) and find out how you can support them – it might be something small like helping with homework or just having a simple cup of tea and a chat.
- Share the love
Found an amazing organisation doing great things in the lives of people who need it most? Then tell your friends about the organisation to help drive awareness of the work they do and to inspire your friends to get involved.
While you at it, show your love by Liking/Following them on social media and then sharing their posts – most organisations will use Facebook in particular, to post about whatever needs they have and how people can get involved. Plus as many (if not all) organisations don’t have a budget for social media marketing, your share can help them reach more people!
Do you have any other ideas to help make Mandela Day last all year round? We’d love to hear them! Please share them with us in the comment box below.
