Help build hope this Mandela Day at TLC Children’s Centre
Whether on-site or from home, your time and kindness can bring hope and dignity to children and families in need.
As Mandela Day approaches, South Africans across the country are being asked to dedicate 67 minutes of their time to serving others. This represents one minute for every year Tata Madiba devoted to the nation.
At Embrace Village and TLC Children’s Centre in Walkerville, Mandela Day holds special significance. These centres honour Madiba’s legacy not just through words, but through acts of kindness that restore dignity, build community, and support children and families facing difficult challenges.
This year, Embrace Village and TLC Children’s Centre invite individuals, businesses, schools, churches, and families to join their Mandela Day of Service. People can take part in person or offer support from afar.
How to get involved
1. Join on-site: Volunteers are encouraged to spend 67 minutes or more at Embrace Village.
• Activities include: Bringing bags of maize meal, rice or beans to help pack food parcels;
• Assisting in the food gardens
• Serving tea and sharing stories with village members
• Reading with children or helping at craft stations
• Donating and packing dignity or toiletry care parcels for families in need
2. Donate to a project: If you are unable to attend in person, you can still make a difference by donating.
Contributions will go toward buying materials, food and supporting sustainable projects that continue beyond Mandela Day.
3. Spread the word: Use social media, workplaces and community networks to raise awareness. By liking, following and sharing the centre’s story, you can inspire others to give their 67 minutes too.
4. Sponsor a Mandela Day team-building experience: Businesses can book a meaningful team-building day that combines service with shared purpose. Teams can pack donated items together, creating a lasting and impactful experience.
Why Mandela Day matters
Managing director Pippa Jarvis said, “Mandela Day is a reminder that everyone has the power to bring hope. Even the smallest acts of kindness can have a far-reaching impact.”
For the children at Embrace Village and TLC Children’s Centre, many of whom carry heavy burdens, the presence of volunteers shows they are not forgotten.
For the elders, these acts restore dignity. For caregivers and staff, the support provides encouragement to keep going.
“This year, we hope Mandela Day becomes more than just a moment. We want it to spark a movement of hearts, hands and hope,” Jarvis added.
Get involved
Email: info@tlc.org.za
Call: 011 948 7917
Donate: www.forgood.co.za
“We believe in building a world where every child is cherished, every elder honoured, and every person knows they belong,” said Jarvis.
