Today, the 18th of July, is marked as Mandela Day, a day in which us South Africans, and many others around the world, celebrate and practice the kindness and comradeship that the late Nelson Mandela stood for. On this day each year it is custom for individuals, companies and organisations to donate their time, 67 minutes to be exact, and do something good to better the world we live in. 

Of course the idea is to practice this goodwill every day, but Mandela Day helps to ignite the spark in each of us, and who knows, we might just find ourselves in a place we were meant to be all along (I know I did). This Mandela Day we rounded up our company members (hubby and I own our own business) and headed off to a Baby Home in Durban North, South Africa, to spend our 67 minutes digging and planting a vegetable garden for them. 

Find out more about Mandela Day here: https://steemit.com/life/@sweetpea/67-minutes-for-mandela-day

The preparation:

I spent the day yesterday purchasing trays and trays of various vegetable seedlings. I loved this shopping trip! I chose tomatoes (jam and cherry), broccoli, spinach, cabbage, lettuce, green beans, carrots, beetroot, butternut, peas and watermelon - every thing that I hope will satisfy a little one's tummy. I also picked up some doweling rods (to grow the beans on), string and some steaks to label the produce with. I made sure that we were extra prepared for today's labor!

Madiba, your day has arrived!

This morning we set off for the Baby Home and arrived there at 11:30 am, according to plan - we are a punctual bunch! There were three of us and we set to work immediately. Thank goodness the ground was soft, it made the task at hand much MUCH easier. My hubby dug the trenches and Toni (our employee) and myself planted the seedlings and covered them with some composted soil. Thereafter we mad a team effort of water the plants and tidying up. 

How long did it take us?

So all in all it took us a bit longer than exactly 67 MINUTES - we were there for about an hour and a half - we wanted to make sure we did a proper and thorough job, we want our veggies to grow into strong and healthy produce so that they can nourish the kiddies and help them grow healthily. I'm glad we took longer than intended, would rather do so than have spent less time at this beautiful home and organization!

The end result: 

More about the baby home:

The Baby Home - Durban North is a home for babies who have been abandoned or given up for adoption. The intention of the home is to provide a safe and loving environment for the little ones while they wait to be matched with a forever family. This home is run by an amazing lady named Jo, who cares for 3 of her own children while simultaneously sharing her equal love for 7 other babies and children who are currently in her safe care. 

We were blessed to be able to meet the children, play with them and receive hugs and cuddles that they so willingly want to give. If you would like to learn more about this wonderful Non Profit Organization, or perhaps you would like to make a much needed donation, you can visit their website at: www.babyhome.org.za

I hope you all had a lovely Mandela Day full of goodwill and unity. Remember every day can be a Mandela Day! 

Much love from - @sweetpea