South African Embassy Staff and families volunteer at the FOREM in Algiers

The South African Embassy in Algiers celebrated former President Nelson Mandela’s 95th birthday on 18 July 2013 and as part of the 67 minute call to action volunteered at the Psychological Care Centre of the National Foundation for Promotion of Health and Research Development (FOREM) in Bentalha, Algiers.

Bentalha is a village 20km outside Algiers. On the night of 22/23 September 1997 more than 400 villagers were killed by armed guerrillas during the bloody Algerian civil war. The children of Bentalha, who survived the massacre, are still traumatised and get counseling at the FOREM Center.

Embassy Staff and their families showed their community spirit by refurbishing the playground of the FOREM Centre. This included the repair of playground equipment and varnishing the wooden outdoor furniture.

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 African Ambassador to Algeria, Ambassador Joseph Kotane said “Today, on Nelson Mandela’s 95th birthday, we mark International Nelson Mandela Day, with the simple vision: that each of us gathered here at this Center today has the ability and capability to impact change, by doing our little part to make Algeria, Africa and the world a better place. This year the South African Embassy in Algiers identified the Bentalha FOREM Center to make a change in the lives of others. We further commit ourselves to make this Center our community project for this Nelson Mandela Year 2013/2014.

South African Embassy Algiers, Algeria