As the country gears up for International Nelson Mandela Day, The Domino Foundation is calling for South Africans to be agents of change, not just for this month, but for a full 12 months.
The Durban North-based Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) is challenging citizens to volunteer and serve communities, starting this month and continuing until the same month next year.
Domino’s Thembeka Gumede, described the rewards of committed volunteering, saying: “Committed volunteering is a very rewarding experience where people can really make a positive impact in the lives of others who are underserved. They can also develop new skills and build relationships with like-minded people, as well as with the people they serve.”
Thembeka also shared how gratifying it is to see volunteers growing and changing as they serve communities. She noted that there are opportunities for those with specialised qualifications and talents, such as counsellors, social workers, therapists, and arts and crafts teachers.
“We are opening an opportunity for those who want to be an ongoing part of what we do—one small gift at a time. We are calling it ‘Way-To-Go: Two-Five-oh’. People can contact me about signing up to donate R250 a month to Domino’s seven programmes,” she said.
Thembeka emphasised that the NPO is focused on building sustainable futures for its beneficiaries by ensuring a solid financial footing for its activities. “We want to stay in touch with them throughout the year and will respond each month with some aspect of the difference their gift is making in the beneficiaries’ lives.”
Thembeka invites everyone who would like to serve communities by being part of the #DominoEffect throughout the year to contact her at connect@domino.org.za or call 031 110 0730. She concluded by saying that there is a place where whatever is in people’s hands and hearts can benefit those in need.
