“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
– Nelson Mandela
This Mandela Day, Rare Diseases South Africa is honouring Madiba’s belief in education, by creating Imagination Stations — vibrant mini-libraries filled with books, colour, and hope.
We will be installing Imagination Stations in under-resourced special needs schools and community health clinics across the country.
These stations will consist of donated bookshelves and books, offering children (and parents) a safe, inspiring space to escape, imagine, and learn while they wait for treatments and appointments.
We believe that access to books is a powerful tool for empowerment, especially for children with rare diseases or disabilities who often face isolation and long waiting hours at health facilities.
With your support, we can create spaces that nurture hope, creativity, and cognitive development — one book at a time.
How YOU can GET INVOLVED
1. Donate a Bookshelf
Corporates have the opportunity to purchase a bookshelf, which will then be branded with your company logo and details
Cost per branded bookshelf: R1599 including branding (Logo etc. to be supplied by Sponsor)
2. Sponsor Books
(New or Gently used)
Both adult and children books are welcome, in all languages.
Please ensure books are clean for infection control purposes prior to sending them to us.
Donors can write words of encouragement on the book cover should they wish too for added love and support.
PUDO Locker - Warranty House
185 Smit St, Fairland, Johannesburg, 2030
Attention: RDSA
Number: 072 476 7552
Email: hello@rarediseases.co.za
4. Make a financial contribution
Your contribution will go directly towards the purchase of durable, child-friendly bookshelves and a diverse range of books tailored to different age groups and developmental needs. Every donation, big or small, helps us reach more schools and clinics — ensuring that more children have access to a safe and inspiring space to read, dream, and grow.
We’d love to collaborate with you to find the best way for you to get involved, and we’ll be sure to share updates, impact stories, and photos to showcase your contribution.
Please let us know if you’d like to join us in making Mandela Day meaningful for the children and communities we serve. Together, we can make every minute — and every page — count.