Nelson Mandela International Day In Bermuda
Imagine Bermuda and ADHT Bermuda Foundation, in collaboration, are encouraging Bermuda residents to support and participate in Nelson Mandela International Day on Saturday, 18 July.
A spokesperson said, “In 2008, on the occasion of Nelson Mandela’s 90th Birthday, he made a call reminding Global residents that at that stage he was ‘passing on the torch’, and that everyone of us has a role to play: “We can change the World and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference”.
“During 2009, the UN General Assembly unanimously declared 18 July as Nelson Mandela International Day. No matter how small the action, the aim is to make a difference, pushing towards a better World, just as Mr Mandela did, every day.
“Madiba followed three rules throughout his life which he did at great personal sacrifice:
- Free yourself;
- Free others; and
- Serve every day.”
On behalf of this collaborative effort, Glenn Fubler stated, “ We invite Bermuda residents to join in by providing 67 minutes of service to another person. The activity can be in your neighbourhood helping an elderly neighbour, running errands for a relative you haven’t seen recently, picking up trash along a stretch of road or visiting a seniors’ home and reading to the residents. Any activity that will help another is encouraged.
“Support can also be given by volunteering at least 67 minutes with any registered charity group in Bermuda that may need help. Another option for participating in Nelson Mandela International Day is to make friends with a person whose culture is different from your own. We live and work amongst people from other nations. 18 July will provide an opportunity to extend the hand of friendship to someone new.
“ We are asking everyone on the island to join in observing 67 seconds of silence at 10:00am on Saturday, 18 July. This activity will allow us to come together in a spirit of collective consciousness and reflect on how individually, we might make a difference.
“Over the next two weeks, we will share ideas and suggestions about activities and events residents of Bermuda can participate in to support this United Nations sanctioned, international day of service for humanity.”
Mr. Fubler concluded, “Everyone has an opportunity to make a difference in the life of another. Charity begins at home. We encourage every man, woman and child to look around to see how best to give our 67 minutes of service.
“Each person can lend a hand and make a difference in our Island and the World. We recommend regular visits to Imagine Bermuda Facebook page as we will be updating the list of activities that will be taking place around Bermuda.”
To find out more about the Nelson Mandela International Day global effort, visit the Mandela Day website www.MandelaDay.com, for information about Bermuda activities visit www.facebook.com/imaginebermuda, or join the conversation by using #ServeBermuda, #MandelaDayBermuda and #67minutesBermuda
