Nelson Mandela Birthday: Heroic Anti-apartheid Activist Turns 91

Wow, 91 years old, he's had such an amazing, yet tragic, and inspiring life - I hope he celebrates many birthdays to come.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2009/07/2009718152818726599.html

South Africa hails "Mandela Day."

Mandela Day organizers encourage people to devote at least one minute to community service for each of the 67 years Mandela campaigned against apartheid.

Nelson Mandela is a living symbol for all those who have unjustly suffered oppression in the past and the present.

Thanks for this, Tina! Mr. Mandela is quite remarkable. A favorite poem of mine begins: "Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure."  Readers may click here to read the poem by Mr. Mandela in its entirety. Thanks again!

It's remarkable that he reaches 91 years old and still remains an advocate for social justice. 

Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (Canada) PRESS RELEASECanada Celebrates First Global Mandela Day & Nelson Mandela’s 91st Birthday on July 18thToronto, ON July 17, 2009 - For Immediate Release –July 18, 2009 is Nelson Mandela’s 91st birthday and this year it is also the first “Global Mandela Day.”  The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (Canada) has invited children and families in the GTA to attend a celebration tomorrow in his honour, co-hosted by South African Consul General Nicolaas Schoombie, and the Canadian Council of South Africans. Mandela Day is an annual celebration launched by  46664, one of Nelson Mandela’s charitable organizations.  Mandela Day focuses on Nelson Mandela’s life and a global call to action for people to recognize their individual power to make an imprint and change the world around them. For more Mandela Day info: www.mandeladay.comNelson Mandela Children’s Fund (Canada) President and CEO Diane O’Reggio said, “it is momentous that Canada will take our place with hundreds of thousands of others, around the world, who are celebrating the first Global Mandela Day.”  And O’Reggio said, “we are honored that newly appointed South African Consul General, Nicolaas Schoombie will deliver remarks at the event.”  Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (Canada) will also unveil the organization’s new national children’s lemonade stand campaign, “Chill Out for Charity.”  Canadian youth and families are invited to register and host their own virtual or neighbourhood lemonade stand to help South African children lead better lives.  The new website, gives Canada’s youth the opportunity to learn more about his life’s work, and the opportunity to “make an imprint” by taking 67 minutes to host a virtual or real neighborhood charity lemonade stand.  Nelson Mandela was the first living person made an honorary citizen of Canada, in 2001. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.  Many people will remember his 1998 visit to Toronto, which included an inspiring event with 40,000 Canadian school children at the Rogers Center (Skydome). www.mandela-children.caSince Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (Canada) began in 1998, children and youth across Canada have been involved and learning about the principles and life work of Nelson Mandela, about South Africa and the current challenges of vulnerable children growing up there.46664, the campaign that bears Mr. Mandela’s Robben Island prison number, was originally launched to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. Working alongside the other Mandela organizations, it is now expanding its focus to champion Mr. Mandela’s broader humanitarian work. A centrepiece of 46664’s activities will be the celebration of Mandela Day each year.For further information please see www.mandela-children.caThe Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (Canada) “Chill Out for Charity” campaign was created and generously supported by the donations of Crescent Group, Kiju Juices, and getGOing.  (Canada) President and CEO Diane O’Reggio said, “it is momentous that Canada will take our place with hundreds of thousands of others, around the world, who are celebrating the first Global Mandela Day.”  And O’Reggio said, “we are honored that newly appointed South African Consul General, Nicolaas Schoombie will deliver remarks at the event.”  Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (Canada) will also unveil the organization’s new national children’s lemonade stand campaign, “Chill Out for Charity.”  Canadian youth and families are invited to register and host their own virtual or neighbourhood lemonade stand to help South African children lead better lives.  The new website, gives Canada’s youth the opportunity to learn more about his life’s work, and the opportunity to “make an imprint” by taking 67 minutes to host a virtual or real neighborhood charity lemonade stand.  Nelson Mandela was the first living person made an honorary citizen of Canada, in 2001. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.  Many people will remember his 1998 visit to Toronto, which included an inspiring event with 40,000 Canadian school children at the Rogers Center (Skydome). www.mandela-children.caSince Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (Canada) began in 1998, children and youth across Canada have been involved and learning about the principles and life work of Nelson Mandela, about South Africa and the current challenges of vulnerable children growing up there.46664, the campaign that bears Mr. Mandela’s Robben Island prison number, was originally launched to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. Working alongside the other Mandela organizations, it is now expanding its focus to champion Mr. Mandela’s broader humanitarian work. A centrepiece of 46664’s activities will be the celebration of Mandela Day each year.For further information please see www.mandela-children.caThe Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (Canada) “Chill Out for Charity” campaign was created and generously supported by the donations of Crescent Group, Kiju Juices, and getGOing. 

Check out the way children across Canada can learn about Nelson Mandela and make an spend 67 minutes in service to the children of South Africa; www.mandela-children/chilloutforcharity.ca