In South Africa, there is a philosophy called "Ubuntu."

"Ubuntu, it's a philosophy that says that, as people, we are so much attached to each other, more than we think we are," explained Mzwanele Lange, with the South African Consulate General of New York.

It’s the idea that we are all interconnected and share a common humanity. And it 's a philosophy that guided Nelson Mandela's life and work.

"Madiba liked people who are of service to their communities," said Lange.

So, on Nelson Mandela International Day Thursday, the South African Consulate of New York and the permanent mission of South Africa to the U.N. teamed up with the perfect partner: The AFYA foundation.

"It is an organization that embodies what Madiba lived for," said Lange.

The AFYA Foundation rescues completely unused medical supplies on its way into the garbage, and sends it to communities around the world in desperate need, including South Africa.

"Our nation has a series of federal regulations that require any medical supplies exposed to a patient, even if untouched on the table, have to be discarded after being exposed," said the foundation's founder, Danielle Butin. "That creates an opportunity for us to rescue and divert millions of pounds of supplies from this country every year.

The volunteers spent the day hard at work sorting supplies, but despite the gravity of the day, in true South African fashion, they made it a party.

"In South Africa, we love music, we love to dance, we always like to sing, we are people that like to smile," said Lange.

For More information about the AFYA foundation, click here.