Amazing what influence I had in various children’s lives in only
67 minutes.
So
the mail popped up 03/07/2013;
“Dear colleagues,
We are fast approaching a day that many South Africans and the
world is eagerly awaiting, International Mandela day. On 18 July millions
across the globe will be taking action to help change the world for the better.
We want to service the communities that support us every day. We
seeks to do the following through the creation of a formalised volunteerism
programme which will be launched in the near future.
We have therefore decided to pilot this initiative in Pretoria
as volunteerism is aligned to the core values that define International Mandela
day.
We need people to volunteer for the following activities which
will take place on 18 July 2013.
·
Cotlands
toy library initiative
·
We have partnered with Cotlands to afford kids who are
disadvantaged the opportunity to interact with developmental toys that are
physically and mentally stimulating. Employees will be trained on how to use
these toys and they will in turn impart these skills onto caretakers and the
kids who will attending on the day.
- Venue:
Mooiplaas, Pretoria
- We will
be needing a total number of 60 people.
- There
are 2 groups of 30 people that will occupy 2 shifts (9:00 – 11:00 / 11:30 –
13:30)”
I decided that this was my change to give something back. The saying
pounding in my head “What you give is an exact copy of what you will receive”.
Not sure what exactly was expected from me, I replayed that I will
be part of the morning shift, no matter what it entitled, I’m game. After the
introductory speech from our CEO (What an amazing human being by the way) and a
song from the company choir, we tackled Mooiplaas community. Arriving on site
via a lekka groot bus, the site awaits us and the kids stared with
anticipation. Cotlands toy library already set up the whole works and the
only shortage was............volenteers to interact with the little blessings
of life.
Objective;
To introduce toys (Kley, blokkies, Legos, balls and plenty more) to
the previous disadvantaged blessings. And by that allowing them to have a fair opportunity
to experience normality. Never before
had I ever observed the little blessings from the community in a way that I did
today.
I realised with great emotion that they are just asking for a fair chance in life. It’s not fair to judge them by the past or to be influenced by
the poor educational structures of this land. We take so many things for
granted on day to day basis......our kids wake up in their warm beds with coffee
and porridge served, take a hot shower and put on clean ironed school uniforms.
Escorted to school listening to lekka music and just ease into the day as if the
world owes them the opportunity. Ons is
lekka bederf.
It’s amazing what a 5 year old toddler can learn you about life. How
to appreciate the small things in life such as; holding a hand and giving a
compliment, wiping a cold nose with care, giving attention and praising them
for their effort, and the list goes on. The look in their eyes when I sat next
to them at the small table, playing with them and interacting (With a massive
language barrier between us) with them via body language. For me, this was one of the highlights in my
life.
Love.........the most powerful word known to mankind.
The moment you understand unconditional love to fellow humans, you
will experience true value and prosperity in your own life, for only then you
will notice the genuine meaning of life. 'Love your neighbour as
yourself.' Matt 22:39
This was exactly what Madiba lived out as an example to mankind,
just a shame we took it for granted and was blinded by the curtains of selfishness.
Why only do well to some people on Madiba day? Why not make every day a Madiba
day?
“If you wait until you can do everything for everybody, instead of
something for somebody, you’ll end up not doing nothing for nobody.”
~ Malcom Bane
Happy birthday Madiba. SA Loves You.
Ps. Love living life.
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