On this Monday, 27 February 2023, the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund (the Fund) joins the world and all like-minded organisations commemorating the annual World NGO Day. Following the two years of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent economic challenges that have a devastating impact on children and youth, the Fund pays tribute to, celebrate, and appreciate all its implementing partners that are community based and non-profit organisations that continue to provide interventions that give dignity and a voice to children, youth and all vulnerable citizens in hard to reach communities. There are also strategic partners from other medium to large NGOs, funders, donors, development partners, private sector, government departments and individuals who have enabled the delivery of quality services that address social ills and assist in holding government accountable to service delivery as per the annually developed plans and budgets across the country.
World NGO Day is critical annual moment to reflect the celebrations or achievements and challenged faced by NGOs as agents of change that foster partnerships and collaborations with various stakeholders nationally, regionally and globally in order to give a voice to grassroots communities while at the same time interceding with and on behalf of children and their communities in service delivery challenges across the country. Through this day, the Fund is encouraging active citizenry, especially for the children and youth, so that they can move their immediate communities towards resolving their own development challenges by seeking context specific solutions. Some of these context specific solutions include the discipline to save whatever little income communities receive from government grants, remittances, stipends, and inheritances, if any, to start their own income generating activities. Chief Executive Officer of The Fund, Linda Ncube-Nkomo, says; ""World NGO Day serves as a reminder of the pivotal role that civil society plays in our modern society. Our democracy thrives on the collective voice of civil society, advocating for the most vulnerable and standing in the place of the unseen. As the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, we commemorate this day as a reminder of the role we must continue play to advance the rights of children and youth." The Fund, with its 28 years of experience, has been working with over 400 community based organisations by empowering and enhancing their capacity to change the way society treats its children and youth in particular. The NGOs have also played a role in building cohesive communities that have actively participated in tackling the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment, and inequality. The community facing focus areas of the Fund are in child health, safety of children from all forms of violence, economic resilience and the leadership and empowerment of youth to participate in decision making spaces at all levels. In addition to this, the Fund advocates for policy changes, policy evaluation and implementation using the lenses of children and youth throug consultations, dialogues, research, and thought leadership that shares the development and advocacy experience . The Fund works in alignment with the global and priorities for children and youth. It partners with the Department of Social Development (DSD), which is the custodian of the NPO Act and is mandated to register and regulate the NPOs in the country. The Fund also partners with the DSD in hosting that annual Nelson Mandela Children's Parliament. There are currently as many as 270 313 NPOs registered with the DSD. For grassroots level impact that is closer to the communities, the Fund challenges government, development agencies and corporates among other to partner with NGOs in the wok they do in the communities.
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The National Mandela Children's Fund (NMCF) sends its condolences to the families of the victims and all those affected by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck southern Turkey and the north-western parts of Syria.
Latest reports indicate that the powerful quake has killed more than 3000 people and injured thousands more. The NMCF stands in solidarity with those impacted by this disaster. In moments like this, children are the most affected because of obvious reasons. The Fis grateful for the efforts of the rescue teams that are working to search for survivors and provide aid to those in need.The Fund is deeply saddened by the devastating news of the earthquake. "As the Fund, we know all too well the pain and heartache caused by natural disasters especially on children and youth, and we extend our support to the affected communities during this difficult time," said Dr Stanley Maphosa the Chief Programs Officer. The NMCF is also calling upon South Africans and the international community to do what is possible to support the provision of the necessary aid and support to those affected by this disaster with the lenses of children and youth. Nelson Mandela always says “After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.” This is especially true for pregnant moms or moms-to-be. There are so many hills that moms climb during a pregnancy and many times they suffer either mentally or physically – that is why NMCF would like to go through some tips for pregnant moms that will help them during and maybe even after a safe and healthy pregnancy.
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Fax (+27) 11 486-3914
P.O. Box 797 Highlands North 2037
Email : info@nmcf.co.za
Tel: (+27) 11 274-5600
Fax (+27) 11 486-3914
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