Every Day is Mandela Day

“Without education, your children can never really meet the challenges they will face. So it’s very important to give children education and explain that they should play a role for their country.”
Nelson Mandela, South African statesman (1918-2013)

Nelson Mandela was a servant leader for the South African people and for the world. Click on the image below to read about #MandelaDay on the United Nations website. The day occurs annually on July 18. To read suggestions about things you can do on Mandela Day – now and in the future – follow this link.

What am I doing for Mandela Day? Well, I am someone who thinks every day is Mandela Day. Follow the link to read about my community and volunteer activities. I do as much as I can through volunteering, including mentoring aspiring nonprofit fundraisers online via Carolyn’s Nonprofit Blog.

There are several important goals of #MandelaDay. Foremost among them is providing an education for young people everywhere. Why is education specifically so important?

FutureLearn notes there are several reasons. The following are thoughtfully discussed on the website:

Creates stability during childhood
Encourages childrens’ brain development
Provides independence
Offers job prospects
Increases likelihood of financial security
Creates aspirations and goals
Teaches life skills
Increases life span.

The more people around the globe who are educated, the better chance we have at achieving equality. As we’ve discussed, a better education can lead to job security, financial stability, more life skills and an increased life span.
If, then, we can bridge the gap between those who receive an education and those who don’t, we are likely to see society thriving in a number of ways, and more equality across the world.
FutureLearn

In the article, “COVID’s Lost Learning: Over Half of the World’s 10 Year Olds Can’t Read,” ONE Campaign notes:

Calculations based on official ‘learning poverty’ figures from the World Bank and UNESCO, as well as UN population data of all 10-year-olds, show that a staggering 70 million children could be affected. This situation has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has contributed 17% to the total number of children falling victim to this global learning crisis in 2021 — leaving them with a life-long brake on their future potential.
ONE’s analysis shows that if current trends continue, the number of children lacking basic literacy when they turn 10 could rise to 750 million by 2030. This global learning crisis will hit Africa particularly hard, with sub-Saharan Africa accounting for 40% of children at risk.

As a ONE Campaign volunteer for a decade, I continue to lend my endorsement to the Global Partnership for Education. I am working with my fellow ONE advocates to reach out to elected representatives in Texas and nationally, to make sure they know how essential supporting the Global Partnership for Education is – not only to Africa but the entire world.

Did you know, children globally have lost an average of one third (74 days) of education each due to school closures and a lack of access to remote learning? Close to half the world’s students were out of school worldwide due to partial or full school closures linked to the coronavirus pandemic in 2021.

However you support #MandelaDay this July 18 – and there are lots of helpful ways you can do that – be sure to raise your hand for education. “Don’t look away. Make every day Mandela Day.”