Why is Mandela a nominee?
Nelson Mandela has been nominated as WCPRC Decade Child Rights Hero 2009 for his lifelong struggle to free the children of South Africa from apartheid, and for his unwavering support for their rights. After 27 years in prison he became the first democratically elected president of South Africa, a country where children of all skin colours gained equal rights for the first time.
Nelson continues to help South Africa’s children and demands respect for their rights. He runs his own children’s foundation, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (NMCF), which helps children whose parents have died of AIDS, street children, disabled children and poor children. As president he donated half of his salary to poor children and when he received the Nobel Peace Prize he gave part of the prize money to help street children. Nelson not only wants all children to feel loved, he also wants to give them a better future. That’s why he also gives children the chance to develop their talents.

Why is Graça a nominee?
Graça Machel has been nominated as WCPRC Decade Child Rights Hero 2009 for her long and courageous struggle for children’s rights, mainly in Mozambique. She fights for girls’ right to go to school. When she was Minister of Education, the number of schoolchildren in Mozambique rose by 80%. Graça’s goal is to have as many girls as boys in schools. In rural areas, most girls have to work and are married off at an early age. Graça started a theatre group to teach parents the importance of education for girls. She has schools built where there are none or not enough. After the floods of 2000 Graça and her organisation, FDC, gave students new textbooks and gave many families new homes. Graça also fights against all forms of violence and abuse against children. Internationally Graça has worked to help child victims of war and to stop the trafficking of children.