SDA’s day of giving back
Congregants of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church recently decided to stretch out their arms to help people in need, by donating much-needed blood.
Congregants of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church recently decided to stretch out their arms to help people in need, by donating much-needed blood.
Every year the SDA Church hosts a general conference and sets aside one Sabbath (Saturday) for the youth to give back to the community. This year Saturday, March 18 was declared Global Youth Day and all the Adventist youth worldwide found innovative ways to give back to their communities.
Also read: Don’t forget to give blood this Easter – SANBS
This year’s theme was ‘Love is a verb’. Theo Pupuma, the youth leader for the Krugersdorp North SDA Church, said that love is a doing word. They said they are concerned about the spiritual and physical needs of their community. They as Krugersdorp North youth then came together to save lives by donating blood.
Also read: Don’t forget to give blood this Easter – SANBS
The blood donation drive lasted from 10:00 to 15:00 and 38 youth members took part in the initiative and 27 scornfully donated blood, for 17 of these donors, it was their first time.
“We want our community to know that we are here and that we care for them,” said Minenhle Mlilo a youth member.
They then spent the afternoon in Munsieville where they visited an 83-year-old resident. They sang for him and left him a food hamper donated by the church. Then on Sunday, March 19, they went back to clean up his home and yard.
“Overall, it was a great weekend, and it was really lovely to see the youth be passionate about giving back and trying to make a difference in this world,” Minenhle said.
Prince Sikosane, a donor recruiter for the South African National Blood Service (SANBS), told the News that there is an overall shortage of blood in the country. The church reached out to them to come set up there for the day.
They ran a campaign where they aimed at collecting 14 000 units of blood between March 17 and 21, the campaign focused on donors ‘bringing a buddy’. If you would like to donate you can visit one of their fixed sites at the Anthos Shopping Centre on Voortrekker Road or Westgate Shopping Centre, alternatively contact Lebo Seatlholo on 082 419 1164 or lebo.seatholo.org.za to arrange for them to come set up at your event or workplace.
