If one minute can make a difference in one’s social life, imagine what impact one minute may have on those less fortunate. The National Children and Violence Trust (NCVT) encourages everyone to make every day a Nelson Mandela Day by getting involved by dedicating more than just 67 minutes to the community.

Senior social worker at NCVT, Nokwazi Dlamini says that what sets us apart as a nation is our element of Ubuntu – otherwise known as humanity. Without this trait, communities would be unable to work hand-in-hand for a peaceful and safe environment. “Dedicating just one minute of your time to support a worthy cause will positively affect your community,” she says.

NCVT have been spreading hope this year through a number of projects that uplift vulnerable communities in Gauteng in need of support. This organisation operates in parts of Gauteng with a high rate of violence and trauma such as Diepsloot, Loss My Cherry, Riverband, Lanseria, Musawawa, Thabo Mbeki, Nooitgedacht, Zandspruit, Itsoseng and the new settlement of Cosmo City.

This Mandela Day, NCVT will reignite their vision of giving hope to vulnerable groups of abused and violated women and children, the unemployed and people living with HIV.

“We will be partnering with Sasol Limitedto entertain toddlers from Smile Kiddiez Crèche and Snekhaya Day Care. The children will enjoy a day filled with fun, educational games and receive educational toys respectively,” says Dlamini. “In the words of the late Nelson Mandela in his 90th birthday celebration speech – ‘It’s in your hands now’. At NCVT every day is really a Mandela Day. We are involved in a number of social upliftment projects, with other organisations at times, which contribute towards social cohesion within our jurisdiction,” she adds.

NCVT currently runs a number of projects:

NCVT is currently exploring the positive health effects of music engagement and visual arts therapy for at-risk youth from underprivileged areas through their Youth Choir and ‘Healing Through Art’ initiative. These initiatives are aimed at uplifting the spirits of unemployed youth and to channel their emotions positively. The visual art therapy exercise enables NCVT to assess perceptions and feelings of traumatized children or children at risk of violent acts of crime. It is a form of expressive therapy that uses art materials, such as paints, chalk and markers to encourage people to express and understand emotions through artistic expression and through the creative process. Non-verbal treatment methods such as art therapy provide children with a way to communicate about distressing events in a symbolic, indirect, and distanced manner.

Story Telling takes place every weekday in surrounding schools such as Nooitgedacht Primary School. Social auxiliary workers visit schools in these areas to share stories with the children and allow them to also express themselves through drawing and telling their very own stories. Storytelling promotes children’s experiences, coping, self-statements and alternative problem solving. “This is also forms part of our ‘Healing Through Art’ programme,” shares Dlamini

”If you or anyone you know needs support following a traumatic experience, don’t be afraid to reach out to your nearest community centre, police station or safety house,” says Dlamini. “There is always someone available and ready to assist you.”

To make donations to NCVT to fund these programmes or to volunteer, members of the community can email [email protected] or phone +27 11 705-1960/+27 11 467 4936.

For more information, visit www.ncvt.co.za. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook or on Twitter.