The United Nations declared 18 July as Nelson Mandela International Day. His homeland celebrates Madiba for the whole of July each year and The Domino Foundation is challenging South Africans to commit to being agents of change in our communities by putting up their hands to volunteer from the start of the month until the same time next year.
Domino’s Connector, Thembeka Gumede, described what she has seen with volunteers who roll up their sleeves and get involved with one of the NPO’s seven programmes for more than a once-off experience: “Committed volunteering is a very rewarding experience where people can really make a positive impact in the lives of others who are underserved. They can also develop new skills and build relationships with like-minded people, as well as with the people they serve.”
Mandela’s autobiography, “Long Walk to Freedom”, describes a 27-year personal journey to realise a dream of liberation for himself and his country. Thembeka said how gratifying it is to see volunteers “growing and changing as they come back again and again…to make more sandwiches for township preschoolers, to play with orphaned or abandoned babies and toddlers, to pack relief hampers for victims of calamities or of the harsh realities of joblessness. She added that there are others with specialised qualifications and talents needed by some of Domino’s programmes – counsellors, social workers, therapists of various kinds, arts and crafts teachers and many more – who are blessed every time they engage with their chosen programme: “There is a place where whatever is in people’s hands (and hearts) can benefit those in need.”
Thembeka said that Domino understands that not everyone is able to give their time or talents on a regular basis. “We are opening an opportunity for those who want to be an ongoing part of what we do…one small gift at a time. We are calling it ‘Way-To-Go: Two-Five-Oh’. People can contact me about signing up to donate R250 a month to Domino’s seven programmes (they are welcome to choose a particular one if it is close to their heart). We want to stay in touch with them throughout the year and will respond each month with some aspect of the difference their gift is making in the beneficiaries’ lives.” She emphasized that the NPO is focused on building sustainable futures for its beneficiaries by ensuring a solid and dependable financial footing for its activities across the board.
Thembeka invited everyone who would like to be part of this opportunity to be part of the #DominoEffect throughout the year, to contact her on connect @ domino.org.za or 031 110 0730.
