Africa Peace Service Corps Calls on Youth to Honor Peacemaker Nelson Mandela through Service

Eric Olsen
July 8, 2013

Tree-planting and other Service Projects in Kenya, South Africa, Zambia and other African Nations on 2013 Nelson Mandela International Day

Across Africa and throughout the world the transformational leadership of former South African President Nelson Mandela is increasingly being heralded, as the iconic 94-year-old leader lies critically ill. For 67 years Nelson Mandela devoted his life to the service of humanity as an international peacemaker and the first democratically elected president of a free South Africa.

Africa Service Peace Corps (APSC), Global Peace Foundation Kenya, Youth Association of Zambia, Etafeni Community Trust in Cape Town and Limpopo, South Africa and a host of partners are honoring the leadership of Mr. Mandela through a commitment to plant 6,700 trees—beginning this year in Kenya but expanding throughout East Africa and across the continent—in celebration of Madiba’s 67 years of noble devotion to the cause of freedom.

In partnership with Kenvo, Green Africa Foundation and Kenya Forest Services, the East Africa Peace Service Corps will encourage environmental awareness throughout the continent and a commitment to sustainable use of Africa’s rich natural resources.

In a message in support for Nelson Mandela International Day, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, “I [urge] each and every one of us to perform 67 minutes of public service on Nelson Mandela International Day—one minute for each year of Madiba’s own remarkable service to humanity. Tutor a child… Care for your environment. Volunteer at a hospital or community centre. . . That is the best way to wish Nelson Mandela a very happy 94th birthday.”

The East Africa Peace Service Corps was officially launched at the United Nations Headquarters in Nairobi by Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga at the close of the two-day “Africa Conference on Volunteer Action for Peace and Development” on July 2-4, 2012. The EAPSC is a broad-based partnership of 35 organizations, including foundations, national ministries, service organizations, financial institutions, UN agencies and other stakeholders, and was inspired by the Nairobi Declaration signed by delegates from 40 nations during the 2010 Global Peace Convention. In 2013, organizers further launched the initiative on a Pan-African level together with youth and partners which will be further stepped up with the Africa Leadership Mission on Peacebuilding, Young Leadership and Service at the November 5-7 Global Peace Leadership Conference in Abuja, Nigeria.

For more information on supporting Nelson Mandela Day through EAPSC’s tree-planting initiative and other service initiatives visit www.acvapd.org or contact Program Director Dr. Tuesday Gichuki in Nairobi at [email protected].

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