The first of its kind, 67 Inspiring Stories was recently launched in Abu Dhabi to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s 67 years of his life spent in his fight for human rights in South Africa.
The making of the book was inspired by the commemorative Nelson Mandela Day celebration in July 2011 as per the United Nations resolution to pay tribute to Nelson Mandela on his 67 years of humanitarian services across the globe.
The 67 Inspiring Stories book, which was launched by Nahtam Social Responsibility, UNDP-UAE and the Embassy of South Africa, is a combined effort of community work done by people within the United Arab Emirates.
It is an exclusive collection of real-life stories written by 67 individuals and groups who live in the UAE, who took time to help out those around them as part of their social responsibility for the community.
Each story narrates different heartwarming experiences of selected 67 individuals and groups out of more than 3 000 contributors.
Children, families, individuals and organisations were urged during Nelson Mandela’s 93rd birthday (18 July 2011) to spend at least 67 minutes of their time for community work at home, workplace, beach, office, airport, bus station, labour camp, or with the people who needed them most as part of the Nelson Mandela Day.
The book, which is hoped will motivate others to serve their community, will be presented to Nelson Mandela in South Africa as his birthday gift.
The inaugural ceremony under the patronage of Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, saw the first copy of the book being handed over to Yusuff Ali, managing director of Lulu Group International by Nahtam Team, Ebrahim Al Haddar, chairperson, George V. Itty, chief executive and Isabelle Le Bon-Poonoosamy, vice president.
The ceremony was also attended, among others, by South African Ambassador Mpetjane Kgaogelo Lekgoro, British Ambassador Dominic Jeremy, Iran Ambassador Dr Mohammad Reza Fayyaz and a host of diplomats.
George Itty, CEO: Nahtam Social Responsibility (NSR) said, “Social responsibility doesn’t need money or big infrastructure. Just a little time and effort can make a big difference. The nation’s strength is in its children, and this book will be a great motivation for our next generation toward social responsibility.”
A copy of the book will be available at all UN offices, South African embassies, Nelson Mandela Foundation all over the world and all universities, schools, ministries and libraries in the UAE.
Ebrahim Al Haddar, chairperson: Nahtam Social Responsibility added, “We are overwhelmed with the impact of the project, that we are inviting CSR (corporate social responsibility) partners to support the Arabic and the digital version of 67 Inspiring Stories book, in order to make this valuable book available to everyone."
