Every year Mandela Day inspires ordinary people to take action and make the world a better place. Uplifting communities and driving social change in South Africa is quickly shifting from being a duty, to a necessity as South Africa's social needs become more and more pressing. This week Kaelo takes a look at what corporates, individuals and non-governmental organisations are doing to empower communities and how volunteers are changing the face of social development across South Africa.
First up Kaelo visits Cheesekids, supported by Old Mutual, to see how young people are getting involved in Mandela Day. Meet the young volunteers who have given up their precious time to improve and build communities. But do the youth of South Africa really get the message? Are they really willing to really sacrifice their time and energy to build the country? Tune into Kaelo to hear their voices and what they think about volunteering and Mandela Day.
In the next story we visit a community school, Greenfields Primary on the East Rand in Johannesburg. Run down and battling to provide learners with a quality education or an environment conducive to learning the school was on the brink of sinking into dilapidation. Watch how a radical change takes place, thanks to the intervention of the Transnet Foundation, and see if the learners' improved environment delivers better results.
People living with disabilities face many challenges. Often there are long waiting lists at hospitals for wheelchairs and access to wheelchairs for people living in poorer communities is difficult and sometimes impossible. See how the ACSA Wheelchair Programme is trying to change this as the company helps people with disabilities to fulfil their dreams and live meaningful lives.
Catch Kaelo - Stories of Hope on Tuesdays, e.tv at 17h30.
