Nelson Mandela Children's Fund
 | |
| Founded | 1995 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Nelson Mandela |
| Focus | fundraising |
| Location | |
Key people | Management Senior Programmes Manager: Adern Nkandela |
| ____________________________ Non-profit organisation registration number: 004-638-NPO | |
The Nelson Mandela Children's Fund (NMCF) is a charitable organization founded by Nelson Mandela, based in South Africa. Its mission is to help individuals from birth to age 22,[1] particularly orphans of the AIDS crisis.
History
In 1995, Mandela stopped to talk to street children in Cape Town, and was inspired to found organization. He remarked:
"We were driving back to the Presidency in Cape Town one cold winter's evening, when I saw a group of street children and stopped to talk to them." "The children asked me why I love them. This astounded me, and I asked them why they asked this, and they said that because every time I get money from overseas, I share it with them."[1]
Upon founding the organization, he pledged to donate one third of his salary to the fund, and began fundraising.[1]
Although the organization continues to assist young homeless people and those living in poverty, the fund now focuses on the underpriviledged, orphans of the AIDS crisis, those affected by HIV and AIDS,[2] and "child-headed households" in South Africa.[1]
Programs
Project Goelama
This is a community mobilization project designed to mitigate the effects of HIV and AIDS on youth. As of March 2010, the project has established 75 self-help groups comprising 1,335. These groups support 2,152 children in 2,328 households. The project assisted with the establishment of small, individual or group businesses.
Efeng Bacha
![[icon]](/enwiki/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (February 2011) |
Disability program
| This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (February 2011) |
Project partners and associates
- Championing Children[3]
- Ebenezer
- Far North Community Care and Development
- Home Intervention – Hearing and Language Opportunities Parent Education Services (HI HOPES)
- Kidz Radio Project
- Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative (REPSSI)
- Rivoni Society For The Blind
- Siyakhathala Caring Network
- Sparrow Schools
- Special Olympics South Africa
- Youth Connection Project
Fundraisers
| Date | Name | Location | Funds raised |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund UK Annual Gala Dinner | Thomas Lord Suite at Lords Cricket Ground, London[4] | |
| 2010 | Stanley Sagov Benefit | Boston[5] |
Patrons
Contributor who have donated to the fund include:
- In 2008,[6] Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg of Norway pledged $1 million USD dollars.[2]
- 2010, John Travolta, $10,000[7]
- Cathy O'Dowd, mountaineer, helped raise 250,000 rand.[8]
- Michael Flatley[9]
- Achmat Dangor
- Christina Aguilera
- John Moore
- Michael Jackson via "Michael Jackson & Friends" benefit concerts
- Naomi Campbell
- Westlife
- Corporate and private patrons
Donations
- 2009: 91,870,000 rand ($12,746,661 USD)
- 2010: 64,346,000 rand ($8,925,923USD)[10]
Offices
The fund has offices in countries around the world, including:[1]
- United Kingdom
- United States
- France
- Australia
- Netherlands
- Canada[11]
- Spain
Controversy
South African Arms Deal
- Further information: South African Arms Deal#Bribery allegations
As part of a suspected bribe to secure an arms deal, on January 29, 1999 the fund received 500,000 rand from German arms manufacturer Thyssen-Krupp.[12][13]
Blood diamonds
- Further information: Naomi Campbell#Diamonds from Charles Taylor
In 1997, model Naomi Campbell donated blood diamonds to the charity. In 2010, trustee and former head of the fund Jeremy Ractliffe resigned from the board after confessing that he had kept the diamonds.[14][15][16]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e Mandela focuses on Aids orphans - SouthAfrica.info
- ^ a b Nelson Mandela Children's Fund
- ^ Nelson Mandela Children's Fund
- ^ Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund UK dinner sold out | Fab South African Stuff
- ^ Nelson Mandela Children's Fund Benefit with Stanley Sagov at Regattabar > Boston Events List
- ^ http://www.norway.org.za/NR/rdonlyres/4692443739FD4D8E86BF714F3B031750/110081/NMCFContract.pdf
- ^ Travolta Donates to Nelson Mandela Children's Fund - ABC News
- ^ Support the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund
- ^ The Mandela Children's Fund - Michael Flatley at the Celtic Cafe
- ^ http://www.nelsonmandelachildrensfund.com/userDownloads/DOC1287747504.pdf
- ^ About the Program « Nelson Mandela Children's Fund (Canada)
- ^ Politics.za : De Lille: Nelson Mandela Children's Fund Received Bribe Money
- ^ Arms firm 'paid ANC' - Times LIVE
- ^ Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund Trustee Resigned
- ^ Mandela Children’s Fund ex-trustee face criminal charges on supermodel Campbell alleged blood diamonds gift | ::USAfricaonline.com
- ^ Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund Statement Over former CEO receipt of Rough Diamonds from Supermodel Naomi Cambell,Allegedly sourced from Liberian President Charles Taylor | www...