The Power of a Single Hour: 67 Minutes in the Life of a Refugee

July 10, 2025

The Power of a Single Hour: 67 Minutes in the Life of a Refugee

Honor Mandela by taking action. Give 67 minutes to serve, uplift your community, and advance justice and equality for all.

In a single moment, one man’s decision changed the course of history for millions of South Africans and people around the world. Nelson Mandela’s relentless decision to fight for justice, freedom, and social equality created a world where people were unafraid to fight for justice, where social equity was the status quo, and human rights advocacy was the norm.

What is Nelson Mandela Day & Why 67 Minutes?

Mandela Day is a global movement celebrated every year on the 18th of July, Nelson Mandela’s Birthday and honors his 67 years of public service, from his early days as an activist to his years in prison and finally as South Africa’s first Black president.

On this day, people around the world are encouraged to dedicate 67 minutes of their day to honor the 67 years of Mandela’s legacy through acts of kindness that impact the lives of their communities, one minute for every year Mandela spent fighting for equality.

By dedicating 67 minutes to help refugees, you not only honor Mandela’s legacy but also advance Creshendo’s mission: empowering refugees to advocate for themselves and thrive in welcoming communities.

The Stark Contrast: Different Journeys, Shared Humanity

The beauty of life is not lived by the hour but experienced moment by moment. For many of us 67 minutes might pass in everyday mundane routines: sipping a delicious morning coffee, commuting to work as you listen to your favorite podcast, enjoying your favorite snack. These seemingly small moments can make all the difference between a good day and a bad day.

On the other side of reality, the same 67 minutes is measured not by songs on a playlist but by uncertainty, access to clean water, insecurity, and survival.

While it is difficult to imagine living without just one of these amenities, for a refugee, it has become the norm, just a regular day in the life of a refugee. That’s the stark contrast Mandela’s legacy compels us to reflect upon.

This month, we’re sharing stories of refugees because their voices matter. Behind every headline or statistic is a real person with dreams, challenges, and incredible strength.

When we hear their stories, we understand their journeys and it reminds us we can all play a part in building more welcoming communities. At Creshendo, we believe sharing these stories helps us see each other’s humanity and find ways to help refugees thrive.

When Journalism Becomes a Death Sentence: Hossein’s Escape

Imagine if things were different and you were transported back in time, growing up under different circumstances. Spending not just 67 minutes but every waking hour in a refugee camp, juggling between waiting for aid or food distribution, caring for children in makeshift shelters; navigating an overcrowded camp; searching for a lost family member, or even attending a trauma counseling session.

Imagine being in your own country uncertain if you would see the sun the next day, spending each hour looking over your shoulder, alienated from your family, jolting at the sound of your phone’s ringtone, afraid to contact your loved ones, terrified that the Taliban is on your trail and are closing in on you.

These were the experiences of Hossein Nickhah, born in Herat, a city in western Afghanistan. Hossein was working as a journalist in Afghanistan for more than a decade. He was well acquainted with the rigors of his job, but when the threats started pouring in from the government, mafia groups, foreign influence, and eventually, the Taliban, he knew it was time to flee.

When the Taliban seized control over Afghanistan in 2021, Hossein knew his ten-year run as a journalist was drawing to a close. As threats from the Taliban intensified, he realized his career wasn’t the only thing about to be shut down – his very life was at stake. So he fled with his family to the US for asylum.

As refugees with nothing but the clothes on their backs, without identification, housing and employment, they faced new traumas in a strange land. Each day was fraught with nightmares of being recaptured and tortured by the Taliban.

Hossein was eventually able to overcome the fears and traumas of his past. Slowly but steadily, he rebuilt his life. Today, safe at last, Hossein is able to dream again surrounded by his family.

How You Can Use Your 67 Minutes to Help Refugees

It’s up to each of us to carry forward Mandela’s commitment to justice and equity.

At Creshendo, we help refugees break the cycle of dependency through community integration programs, mental health support, and skills acquisition programs. We embody Mandela’s legacy and commitment to social equity and justice.

We don’t just offer aid, we restore dignity and independence, ensuring that refugees have equal opportunities to rebuild their lives.

Here’s how you can help.

Donate

A $67.00 donation can:

Empower refugees with a digital resource guide that explains their rights and shows them how to access critical resources.
Amplify refugee voices by funding an illustrated animation frame that brings a refugee’s story to life.
Translate surveys into native languages refugees can understand to ensure every voice counts
Host a virtual care check-in to prevent burnout and help frontline workers feel recharged and appreciated.

DONATE

Volunteer

Partner with Creshendo using your skills to help refugee women and children amplify their voices, gain stable employment, and access to education.

VOLUNTEER

Raise Awareness in Your Circle

Follow us on social media and let us know how you’re using your 67 minutes! Don’t forget to tag us and use #67Minutes. Inspiring just ten people to act can spark a chain reaction that transforms hundreds of lives.

The Power of Collaboration

Mandela Day isn’t just a call for short-term charity work; rather it’s a call for long-term collaborative initiatives that can tip the scale of social equity for the better.

Let us not wait for governments to act. Governments may have failed the people and neglected refugees to their fate, but when ordinary people come together to do extraordinary things for their communities, thousands of lives can be transformed.