Celebrating Mandela Day in Paarl!

Last Wednesday, July 18th, volunteers from all over the community joined the staff of Monte Christo Miqlat (MCM) and enjoyed devoting 67 minutes of time to helping others as a way to mark Nelson Mandela International Day.  Why 67 minutes?  For 67 years Nelson Mandela devoted his life to the service of humanity--as a human rights lawyer, a prisoner of conscience, an international peacemaker and the first democratically elected president of a free South Africa.  This July 18th also marked Mandela's 94th birthday, and volunteers from 7 different companies in the Paarl Valley and Western Cape helped serve the community at MCM's Bowy House, Tiffany's Community Care Center and Lukhanyo Community Care Center.   

Geratec employees helping at Bowy House

Several staff members from Paarl's Basson and Blackburn spent 67+ minutes at Lukhanyo Community Care Center in Mbekweni.  They attended the music classes that are given there and participated in making musical instruments and playing the drums.

This same group joined in the daily feeding of the children.  Many of them were very emotional as they witnessed the hungry children who came through to have their soup containers filled.  The staff finished their time there saying it was an experience they will never forget.

MCM wishes to thank the volunteer staff members from Geratec-Paarl, Nedbank-Paarl Mall, Walton's-Paarl, Department of Education-Western Cape, SADTU (South African Democratic Teacher's Union), Basson and Blackburn and Paarl Mall for the goods and clothing that were donated and the gift of time that you shared.   It was a blessing for all of us at MCM to see your servant's hearts as you showered love on members of the community.