In honour of Mandela Day, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Catholic and Hindu faiths in partnership with Compass Health Organisation gathered to assemble medical packets, a Compass Health initiative.
The assembled packets included reminder notes for hygiene, plasters (band aids) and instructions on when to see a doctor. The assembled skin care packets will go to children in Porirua City schools.
Commenting on the problems that the service project addressed, Ranei Parai, manager of Compass Health said, “Skin infections can be prevented, but there is still an alarming high percentage of children presenting to hospitals with serious infections.”
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Also offering her service at the Mandela event was H.E. Ms. Vuyiswa Tuleo, South Africa High Commissioner.
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Ms. Tuleo noted that “when a family living in poverty is faced with the choice of buying a loaf of bread to feed the family or plasters for a child’s wound, they are going to choose bread.”
Zoey, a young participant, exclaimed, “I am so glad to know that each pack is going to help someone.”
“I was honoured to provide my services to the community along with other members of faith on Nelson Mandela’s 100th birthday anniversary,” said Nidhi Bhargava, who also participated in the day’s events.
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“It was a great learning experience for my 10-year-old daughter to understand more about the human rights efforts made by Nelson Mandela. It was very rewarding to be part of this event along with the other volunteers. We also considered it an honour to work with Her Excellency Ms. Vuyiswa Tulelo, the South Africa High Commissioner.”
Mandela Day service projects were organised by the Wellington New Zealand Interfaith Council in association with the South African High Commission.
Interfaith efforts to honour Mandela Day encourage individuals to take action against poverty by looking for ways to give 67 minutes of service, not just on Mandela Day, but every day.
Mormons believe that a key to happiness is to labour for the happiness of others.