get involved / Take the Step. Be the Change.

To me, Nelson Mandela is a real inspiration. While reading his book, A Long Walk to Freedom, I discovered who he truly was and the hardships of his life. Also, I realised that he didn't give up, and was prepared to fight, whatever it took, for what he believed in - this is the true definition of a hero.

So, on the 18th of July, me and my friends planned a Nelson Mandela Day for our school, to celebrate his birthday and to inform people of who he was, and the great change he brought all over the world. We planned to collect money and do some fundraising activities for his charity because we felt that we needed to give support to other less fortunate people.

Discovering the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund (NMCF) has made me a better person because now I am becoming more generous towards other charities as I can see the difference that it is making in the lives of other children.

It also is a very humbling experience because I am no different to the children that are out there suffering. I am one of the fortunate ones, but some people do not have that opportunity so I need to do as much as I can in order to help them.

Also, Nelson Mandela inspires me because he was not from an extremely rich background but he still made such a change, and his name is now known all around the world. It gives ordinary people like us the hope that we too, can make a difference.

At our school, we are still doing some more work for NMCF, to try and raise as much money and as much awareness as we can. My friends and I have joined together with our school's fundraising team so that we can work together efficiently.

The feeling of pride and satisfaction comes foremost in our work for NMCF - knowing that we are impacting someone's life positively is the drive that keeps us going.

Thank you to Nelson Mandela, and thank you to the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund for letting us help, and we wish you all the best for your upcoming plans for the future.