Embassy officials of South Africa, India, Brazil, Nigeria, Palestine and some international organizations based in Vietnam visited the Thien Phuc Humanitarian Center in the northern province of Bac Giang yesterday to present gifts to disabled children on Nelson Mandela Day.
The delegates presented six sewing machines, two television sets and five electric fans to the orphans and disabled children at the center.
N. Skolo, South African Charge d’ Affaires expressed her thanks for the support from embassies, international friends, Vietnam Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs and the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organization.
The visit aimed to celebrate Nelson Mandela International Day on the latter's birthday on July 18.
July 18 has been officially declared as Nelson Mandela International Day by the United Nations in November 2009, with the first Mandela Day held on 18 July 2010. Many groups however began celebrating Mandela Day on 18 July 2009.
Mandela Day is not meant to be a public holiday but a day to honor and recognize 67 years of fight for freedom and justice. On this day, people worldwide are called upon to set aside 67 minutes to help the less fortunate in their communities.