Two events were organized by the South African Embassy to honor the life of former president Nelson Mandela and teach orphaned children about his life and South African cultures.

The embassy, in cooperation with Mannam Volunteer Association, organized the events with the theme “Take Action! Inspire change!” to coincide with Mandela’s birthday, which fell on July 18.

The first event, on July 16, saw 40 children from Sundeukwon and Hyeshimwon orphanages guided by an adult through a host of activities including writing a peace message to be sent to the Mandela Foundation in South Africa, learning the South African song “Shosholoza,” learning South African beadwork and designing miniature traditional dress.

On July 18, volunteers from the embassy and Mannam gave their time to needy farmers in Incheon. During the day, the group picked lettuce and wrapped pears and grapes at two different farms outside the city.

Mannam is an association of more than 50 volunteer organizations founded in 2005 with a focus on culture and the arts.

Mandela, a Nobel Peace Prize-winner, became South Africa’s first leader to be elected in multi-racial representative elections in 1994. He had previously spent 27 years in jail during the apartheid era. He celebrated his 93rd birthday this year.

His birthday was declared an international day by the U.N. in 2009, known as Mandela Day. The day aims to celebrate the power of an individual to change the world.

(john.power@heraldcorp.com )