On Sunday the 18th of July, The Diamond Network (TDN) team together with at least 7 volunteers made their way down south to Maponya Mall, Soweto to give what was more than their 67 minutes towards a good course in honour of the 67 years that Nelson Mandela gave of his life, fighting rights for humanity.
What most would probably say "we had a slow start but eventually things went very well".....TDN was on a roll from the word go, there were no slow starts to anything and a lot of energy drinks helped the team stay on their toes for 5 hours of a successful campaign!
Community Outreach Initiative
TDN was in support of the Foundation for Drug-Free World and distribute its Truth About Drugs booklets.
“Drugs threaten the lives of youth and adults in your community. Education plays a vital role in preventing drug abuse” Foundation for a Drug-Free World"
It was amazing to see how much the youth of South Africa were open to be educated on substance abuse and they were not reticent on speaking to TDN about their thoughts, people they know who are affected and seeking help if they themselves were affected.
For each booklet that was handed out, it was accompanied by a brief education about the content of the booklet, where and how to seek help in South Africa on substance abuse and finally an opportunity for each of the approached to sign on the PLEDGE for a Drug Free World. Close to 1.000 signatures were collected beween 11h00 & 15h00 on that Sunday and 3,000 booklets were distributed which marked the success of the campaign.
The PLEDGE...
"We, the undersigned, hereby express our concern over the growing drug problem among the youth of Soweto and pleadge our support for the The Truth About Drugs program and agree to speak out publicly whenever possible to encourage young people to get the facts they need to make their own decisions to be drug-free
Further, we ask elected officials and others in positions of influence to join us in support of effective drug education that empowers young people with the truth about drugs."
Local help line - 0800 12 13 14 (toll free)
The Diamonds volunteers touched many lives within a short period of time and have many heart-rending and humorous anecdotes including youth asking for drug rehab help on the spot and teachers and other professionals who invited us to work with them. ALAS...MANDELA DAY WAS A SUCCESS!
The PLEDGE...
"We, the undersigned, hereby express our concern over the growing drug problem among the youth of Soweto and pleadge our support for the The Truth About Drugs program and agree to speak out publicly whenever possible to encourage young people to get the facts they need to make their own decisions to be drug-free
Further, we ask elected officials and others in positions of influence to join us in support of effective drug education that empowers young people with the truth about drugs."
Local help line - 0800 12 13 14 (toll free)
The Diamonds volunteers touched many lives within a short period of time and have many heart-rending and humorous anecdotes including youth asking for drug rehab help on the spot and teachers and other professionals who invited us to work with them. ALAS...MANDELA DAY WAS A SUCCESS!
