Thursday 17th July 2008, 14:18Its in Our HandsLast week my family and I (Sam, Olivia and Tom) had a most amazing experience. We were very lucky to get tickets to attend the 90th Birthday Party for Nelson Mandela in Hyde Park London. Dashing home from school we packed ourselves into our car and attacked the M6 traffic with determination. Following a few comfort breaks we managed to arrive in Hyde Park as the concert was starting. Shuffling to the front we staked our claim to a patch of grass 18 inches by 10 inches. Each act came and went with increasing momentum, the sound system pushing every bass note through your chest walls and out through your lungs. A white South African giant who was stood next to me enquired if Tom was my son and then offered to put him on his shoulders to see over everybody’s head. Olivia thought Will Smith was just the best and then we waited not knowing what to hope for as the concert reached a climax.
First the podium was brought onto the stage and then silence fell across the thousands of people present as all attention turned to the back of the stage as our hero Nelson Mandela walked out to an avalanche of emotion, good will and wonder.
Nelson Mandela moved with the body of a man in his 90’s but he brought with him all the energy, passion, authority, leadership and compassion which we have grown to love over the years he has graced the world stage bringing about change against all the odds. His message was simple, humble and pure;
“20 years ago your voices rang clear from this country to bring about the release of myself and my colleagues. You voice was heard and I stand here tonight, thank you. But we can not rest until everybody has freedom and access to work, safety, food, water and health. As I reach 90 years of age it is time for me to pass the baton on to younger people, and so, my friends, the future is in your hands.”
The crowd broke out into a chant of “It’s in your hands, it’s in your hands.”
Many people who were there may have had that feeling of wanting to take on the baton, wanting to play a part in building a world where all are equal, where all are provided for in equal measure. But I sensed some also left wanting to know how they could play their part in this vision.
I feel blessed, because I have the chance to work for an organisation built upon the foundations of Improving Peoples Lives. I work with people who inspire me every day in the work you do to tackle the ugliness of poverty and unfairness. I get the chance to work in partnership with other organisations and individuals who share a common belief that “we can make a difference”. I work with people in A4e who inspire me to want to push forward, make difficult decisions, and do what is right rather than what is easy. I work with people who back you up, lift you when you are down and so I feel blessed.
I feel blessed because together we are one team and together we can take on this baton and bring hope to so many around the world and bring hope. Bring a hope that says to people, “you are not forgotten, you have a right to play a part in the growth and future of the world in which we live, you can find work and you life can be improved”.
Thank you for giving me the chance to work in a team of people where we are supported and together we can make a difference.
Please drop me a line and let me know about the 100’s of ways you are taking the baton forward, these are the stories which inspire me to push against all the unfairness in the world.
Thanks
Roy
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