Nelson Mandela Day brings smiles in Kibera

UNIC National Information Officer Irene Mwakesi reading Mandela story to pupils at the Kibera Children's centre

(July 22, 2011, UNIC Nairobi ) - 93 years ago, in little known Transkei Village in South Africa, a boy was born, his name, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. A boy who would grow into a man the whole world would one day appreciate for his relentless pursuit for freedom among the people of South Africa and the world at large. Talk about the struggle for freedom and Madiba, as he is popularly known, comes to mind, a man who has devoted his life as an international icon for freedom, justice and democracy. His life, an inspiration to all freedom loving individuals, having spent 27 years in prison for this worthy course, and even battled the tentacles of apartheid in his home country.

It is with this in mind that the United Nations General Assembly, on November 2009 set out July 18th as Nelson Mandela International Day, a day to commemorate this hero and also reflect on the global strides towards freedom of all individuals.

Thousands of miles away from South Africa, this year’s Nelson Mandela Day was marked in a special way in Kenya on July 21. Tucked in the slum village of Kibera, Hoywick (Humanity for Orphans, Youth and Widows Initiative Kenya) Educational Children’s Centre burst with synergy as staff from the South African embassy, United Nations Information Centre, various local and international companies and members of the community were united under this years theme of ‘67 minutes of service for Mandela Day’. Hoywick Educational Centre is an education for development community support organization that is shaping the lives of Aids orphans and other vulnerable children in Kibera slum.

UNIC contributed stationery materials to the centre (donated by UNICEF): exercise books, pens, rulers, sharpeners, rubbers as well as school bags for the children. UN publications were also among the donations made by UNIC staff. The staff members also devoted their time to read Mandela stories to the pupils, paint the class rooms and also participate in foundation digging for the construction of new classrooms.

Mr Ndumiso Ntshinga, the South African High Commissioner to Kenya led the group in a ground-breaking ceremony to erect new classrooms for the needy students of Hoywick Centre. While handing over a cheque from the South African embassy, the High Commissioner commended the centre for the major role they play in providing education to the children of Kibera slums. “It is a day when we celebrate Nelson Mandela’s contribution to humanity and we call upon people across the globe to dedicate 67 minutes of their time for the well being of humanity. One thing that Mandela is known for is what he did for humanity; his selfless contribution to the well being of humanity.”

Hoywik Educational Centre Director Zacchary Ngare said lack of funding has been a major hindrance for the centre which apart from providing education, initiates income generating activities for youth and widows in the area.