The Sandals Foundation commemorated the globally-recognized Mandela Day by educating more than 300 children about the life and works of former South African President Nelson Mandela on July 18.

The Sandals Foundation, in partnership with the South African High Commission in Jamaica, is carrying out its mission with children and children’s homes in Jamaica, Antigua, Saint Lucia, the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Every year on Mandela’s birthday, individuals and organizations across the world are asked to spend 67 minutes of their time helping people to recognize their own ability to have a positive effect on society. This is to commemorate the 67 years Mandela, the first democratically elected president of South Africa and Anti-Apartheid activist, dedicated to the fight for human rights.

“Nelson Mandela is a remarkable man who dedicated his entire life to effecting positive change. His impact has been felt across the world as people associate him with justice and humanitarianism,” said Heidi Clarke, Sandals Foundation director of programmes. “Every year that we celebrate Mandela Day, we are ensuring that his legacy lives on for future generations to cherish.”

Activities for Mandela Day included talks and discussions at the Edward Gartland Youth Centre (Turks and Caicos); the Forward and Onward to College Upward to Success (FOCUS) group (The Bahamas); Lights on Day Camp (Antigua); Saint Lucia Crisis Centre (Saint Lucia); Clifton Boys Home (Whitehouse, Jamaica); West Haven Children’s Home (Negril, Jamaica), the S.O.S. Children’s Home (Montego Bay, Jamaica), and in the Huddersfield Community (Ocho Rios, Jamaica).

Lights on Day Camp participants and Sandals Foundation volunteers commemorated Nelson Mandela Day with a number of activities that highlighted his life.  This included trivia, dramatic presentations, poetry performances and dance

The re-enactment of Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment was a part of the festivities when Sandals Foundation volunteers and Lights on Day Camp participants commemorated Nelson Mandela Day