GPF-Kenya, Africa Peace Service Corps, South African High Commission in Nairobi, and the Kilimani Foundation observe Nelson Mandela International Day.

The Global Peace Foundation Kenya and its affiliate the Africa Peace Service Corps will join the South African High Commission in Nairobi, the United Nations in Nairobi (UNON) and the Kilimani Foundation to observe Nelson Mandela International Day on July 18, 2013 at the Kilimani Primary School.

The announcement was made at a joint meeting at the South African High Commission in Nairobi by the Mr. Christian Kriek (Counsellor, Political Affairs), Ms. Mishumo Madima (Third Sec. Political) Mr. Daniel Juma (Country Director, GPF Kenya) and Africa Peace Service Corps representatives.

From the left: Mr. Japheth Ouda, Mr. Daniel Juma, Ms. Mishumo Madima, Mr. Christian Kriek, Mr. Vincent Rapando, Ms. Paula Nzisa, Dr. Tuesday Gichuki.

Nelson Mandela International Day is a global call to action for individuals and organizations to volunteer 67 minutes of their time to public service—one minute for each year of Madiba’s own remarkable service to humanity.  This year’s celebration happens as Mr. Mandela, 95, continues to receive treatment for a recurring lung infection that has led to four hospital stays in the past six months. 

This year’s Mandela Day theme is literacy, shelter and food security, and will also be the occasion for planting 67 fruit trees in honor of the former South African President. The formal launch of the Africa Peace Service Corps is scheduled on November 8, 2013 in Abuja, Nigeria, and will be the culmination of a coordinated effort to plant 6,700 trees beginning on July 18.

This initiative is supported by the Global Peace Foundation, Kijabe Environmental Organization, Safaricom Foundation, Green Africa Foundation and Kenya Forest Services who will jointly provide 67 fruit trees and a lorry for transporting red soil.  The staff of the South African High Commission have committed personal finances to support the event and further engaged a few corporate partners for support.

The Africa Peace Service Corps, conceived during the 2012 Africa Conference on Volunteer Action for Peace and Development in Nairobi, seeks to encourage environmental awareness throughout the continent and a commitment to sustainable use of Africa’s rich natural resources. The principle of Mandela Day is to spread the message of volunteer action globally and to remind everyone that every day is a Mandela Day.

For more information about Mandela Day, please visit www.mandeladay.com