Staff and students at Stellenbosch University proved this past week (18-22 July) that even the smallest good deed can make a huge difference in somebody's life.

Staff, students and partners of the University took part in various activities that was planned for its University's Mandela Week.  These activities were part of the national 67 Minutes for Mandela campaign in which South Africans participate every year to commemorate the life of President Nelson Mandela.

On Monday (18 July) staff from the University's Centre for Student Counselling and Development and the division Social Impact painted the interior walls of the Stellenbosch Work Centre. This work centre offers skills development classes to adults with disabilities.

"I enjoy witnessing how one good deed can have an impact on the lives of many people," Michelle Willems from the University's Unit for Disabilities said.

Staff at the Tygerberg campus collected personal hygiene products for several weeks to distribute to mothers of babies who have been admitted to hospital. A lot of these babies are patients in the neo-natal unit and their mothers often have to stay at the hospital with their babies for days on end. With the help of members of public and students, each baby could also receive a knitted beanie, a blanket and a teddy bear.

On Wednesday the campus community collaborated with Stellenbosch businesses to make more than 10 000 sandwiches for the Toasties for Tummies campaign. These sandwiches were distributed at schools and charity organisations in Stellenbosch.

Various organisations helped to illustrate the meaning of 'community' in a tangible way. One often forget that one sandwich can be a building block to help build someone's future," says Dr Antoinette Smith-Tolken, acting Head: Social Impact

The Postgraduate & International Office used their time and initiative to highlight the importance of education. They held a fundraising to buy stationary for learners at Vlottenberg Primary School in Stellenbosch. Our international students support this initiative greatly.

 Various departments of the University collected non-perishable consumer items (canned foods, dried foods, soap, toothpaste etc) to donate to students in need.

The Student Council's Social Impact portfolio launched their project to donate low cost, safe stoves to families in and around Stellenbosch. These stoves, the Cleancook, are a safer and cheaper alternative than open fire or paraffin stoves which is still being used in many households to cook food.

On Friday staff and students encouraged a culture of reading amongst the learners at Lückhoff Primary where they read stories to the learners. Learners also had to take part in reading activities. The day was concluded with a soccer match at the school on a field that has been prepared for future use by the school.