Posted on by George Bowes

Mandela DayAs part of the observance of the Nelson Mandela International Day on July 18, CDA officers took the journey along the meandering road into the hills of Carron Hall, St. Mary to spend more than 67 minutes bringing cheer to the children of the Pringle Child Care Facility.

Nelson Mandela International Day is an annual United Nations-designated day celebrated July 18 to honour the life and work of former South African President, Statesman and Humanitarian Nelson Mandela. On July 18 (Mr. Mandela’s Birthday) persons are asked to take just 67 minutes out of their day to carry out humanitarian acts, especially for children.

CDA’s Social Worker and Team Leader for St. Mary Dotlyn Bailey serves the children from the Pringle Child Care Facility as part of the Agency’s more than 67 minutes of service on Nelson Mandela International Day on July 18.
CDA’s Social Worker and Team Leader for St. Mary Dotlyn Bailey serves the children from the Pringle Child Care Facility as part of the Agency’s more than 67 minutes of service on Nelson Mandela International Day on July 18.

At Pringle, Regional Director for CDA’s North East Region Norma Hill and St. Mary Team leader Dotlyn Bailey gave the children motivational talks, encouraging them to dream big dreams, and to seek wisdom, courage and understanding in all that they did.

Regional Director for CDA’s North East Region Norma Hill spends more than 67 minutes at the Pringle Child Care Facility on Nelson Mandela International Day serving children.
Regional Director for CDA’s North East Region Norma Hill spends more than 67 minutes at the Pringle Child Care Facility on Nelson Mandela International Day serving children.

In sharing the story of Solomon from the Bible and about the life of Nelson Mandela, Ms. Bailey told the children that they could also seek wisdom from God to achieve beyond their circumstances. She told them that even when things seemed difficult they should stay focused and be determined to succeed in life.

CDA’s psychologist for the North East Region Melody Samuels presents a child from the Pringle Child Care Facility with a gift as the Agency observed Nelson Mandela International Day on July 18.
CDA’s psychologist for the North East Region Melody Samuels presents a child from the Pringle Child Care Facility with a gift as the Agency observed Nelson Mandela International Day on July 18.

The children also viewed a short film on the life of Nelson Mandela and later participated in a quiz about the former President who turned 95 on that day. Following the quiz, the children were given refreshments and presented with gifts.

Nelson Mandela International Day was observed under the theme: Take Action, Inspire Change and Make Every Day a Mandela Day!

All child care facilities were encouraged to do something special for the children on July 18.

Contact: Prudence N. Barnes
Tel: 967-5905
Email: barnesp@cda.gov.jm
Twitter: @cda.jm
Facebook: www.facebook.com/child-development-Agency
Website: www.cda.gov.jm