Nelson Mandela and Graca Machel
Today marks the 95th birthday of South Africa president Nelson Mandela. Among his many achievements, Mandela showed the world the power of forgiveness and compassion, taking Mohandas K. Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolence up another notch. His desire to make this world a better and more peaceful place for future generations must inspire all of us to do whatever we can to make this dream a reality.
On his 95th birthday today let us pledge to ensure that 450 million children of Africa can be ensured healthcare when they need it. Africa needs a caring, compassionate world. Can we step up to the challenge?
I have been honored by an invitation from former South Africa First Lady Mrs. Graca Machel to lend my support to Nelson Mandela’s final and perhaps most desired legacy, better health and medical care for the children of Africa: Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital, Johannesburg South Africa.
Please lend a hand and help us spread this message of hope. Be sure to use the #LegacyofHope hash-tag in your tweets and Facebook posts today!
Media and fundraising organized in part by Ms. Jennifer Trubenbach’s Orange County California-based Operation of Hope, the renowned traveling voluntary child surgical mission, and Eric Gast’s FM World Charities, the Legacy of Hope initiative will hold concert fundraisers on two continents to support the construction of the Nelson Mandela Childrens Hospital, honoring Mr. Nelson Mandela’s lifelong commitment to children.
Sibongile Mkhabela, CEO, Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital Trust said, “With 450 million children in Africa and only three dedicated children’s hospitals, the need for this specialized facility in southern Africa is paramount. We are excited that FM World Charities and Operation of Hope are sharing in our efforts to make this hospital a reality. Music and children are always a perfect fit.“
The launch of the “Legacy of Hope” in North America will be at a private event on July 18, 2013 at New York’s Gotham Hall marks the 95th birthday of Mr. Mandela as well as the start of Legacy of Hope’s journey towards global concerts on two continents on December 7, 2013.
In Mandela’s words, the hospital will be a “… credible demonstration of the commitment of African leaders to place the rights of children at the forefront.” No child will be turned away due to inability to pay.
The hospital will be a living memorial to Nelson Mandela’s unique contribution to Africa’s miraculous transformation, and the legacy he wishes to leave behind for Africa’s children. It will be a center of excellence and a specialist referral hospital catering for children in need of long-term care for complex illnesses.
Nelson Mandela Childrens Hospital Reflects Mandela’s Vision
Together we can fulfill Mandela’s dream to provide the children of Southern Africa with the best possible pediatric healthcare in a world-class facility. Furthermore, this hospital addresses a great need: there are only four hospitals in Africa to serve nearly 450 million children.
Millions of these children suffer from life-threatening illnesses and have little or no chance of receiving the specialized care they need. The “Legacy of Hope”, collaboration between the music and entertainment communities, seeks to bring this much-needed medical facility to fruition.
Mr. Mandela’s dream for the best healthcare for the children of Southern Africa can become a reality if you join with me.
Sharing the honor of service with me are Dr. Maya Angelou, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Sir Ben Kingsley, Marion and Elie Wiesel, Dame Judy Dench, Barbara Walters, Nicole Kidman, Natalie Portman, Octavia Spencer, Charlize Theron, Salma Hayek-Pinault, Katherine Heigl, Ruby Bridges, Whoopie Goldberg, Ben Vereen and Sir Anthony Hopkins.
As the world celebrates Mandela Day on his birthday, we will be working to bring his dream to fruition.
This event will serve as the official announcement to engage world support of Nelson Mandela’s dream through digital platforms and a media campaign.
The, “Legacy of Hope” Foundation is comprised of 3 registered 501(c)(3) organizations that deal with healthcare for children: Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital Fund USA, Operation of Hope Worldwide, and FM World Charities. The union of these entities was expressly formed to aid in the creation of the Nelson Mandela Childrens Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa.
This facility, a teaching hospital, is Nelson Mandela’s wish to bring accessible and free healthcare to the children of Southern Africa. As you may know, the continent of Africa, which is home to 450 million children, is currently served by only four dedicated children’s hospitals – one of which is strictly oncology. To put this in perspective, there are 12 children’s hospitals in the state of Florida.
Please lend a hand and help us spread this message of hope. Be sure to use #LegacyofHope in your tweets and Facebook posts!
In mid-2013, as Mandela was hospitalised for a lung infection in Pretoria, his descendants were involved in intra-family legal dispute relating to the burial place of Mandela’s deceased children, and ultimately Mandela himself.