South African Embassy Staff and families volunteer at the FOREM in Algiers for Mandela Day
The South African Embassy in Algiers under the leadership of Ambassador Dennis T Dlomo marked International Nelson Mandela day on Wednesday, 22 July 2015. As part of the 67 minute call to action Embassy Staff and their families refurbished the playground of the Psychological Care Centre of the National Foundation for Promotion of Health and Research Development (FOREM) in Bentalha, Algiers
The Embassy has a relationship with the FOREM and also volunteered at the center on Mandela Day of 2013. This commitment shows that our actions are not only once of, but part of a broader commitment to make “every day a Mandela day”.
Bentalha is a village 20km outside Algiers. On the night of 22/23 September 1997 more than 400 villagers were killed by armed guerrillas as part of the bloody Algerian civil war. The children of Bentalha, who survived the massacre, are still traumatised and get counseling at the FOREM Center.
The chairman of the FOREM Foundation, Mr Mostefa Khiati said: “ I am honored that Mr Nelson Mandela came to Algeria in 1962 to receive his military training here, and today South Africans are back to assist us here at the FOREM Center with works of goodwill to the benefit of the Algerian children.”
The South Africa Embassy also took part in an International Nelson Mandela Day event that was organized by the United Nations office in Algiers. At this event a tree was planted in honour of Mandela.
South African Embassy in Algiers, Algeria