Whatshot
Childline KZN Receives R5 Million
Childline KZN Receives R5 Million
A miraculous line of support for the core sustainability of this facility has been made for 5 years -through the facilitation oflocalbusinessman and Chairman of AfrisunVivian Reddy- an ardent supporter of Childline KZN, and a trustee of the Afrisun KZN Community Trust.
TheAfrisun KZN Community Trust, a shareholder of Sibaya Casino & Entertainment Kingdom, which distributes its dividend earnings to deserving and disadvantaged communities in KZN, came to the rescue of the organisation earlier this year for a three-month period. The Mr Price Red Cap Foundation assisted for a further 3 months, however, once again the lack of funding for the crisisline, presents a concern, and the Afrisun Trust was approached to extend their support.
The Afrisun KZN Trustrecognising that the constant uncertainty of funding for the crisisline undermines the confidence of the children in the province to have access to this much valuable resource- and committed to an incredibleR5 million for the next 5 years. The organisation will fundraise any further shortfalls in respect of the crisisline.
At present, this critically important crisis line, which receives approximately 300 000 calls a year, isnot adequately reachingmany desperate children due to lack of funding and capacity. The organisation had sent out a plea, not just for South African government,but also corporate and cultural leaders to hear the cries of our children and to help make it possible for victims of abuse to continue to have a line to call for help.
The South African goal has always been to ensure that we have caring communities in South Africa,who extend their care for the protection of children! And it has been amazing to note that community members take responsibility to identify and report cases of children being violated, abused, neglected, exploited, and in some cases that may lead to their murder. "It has become frustrating to focus our energies on fundraising when our focus should be on efficient service deliverythe Afrisun Trust donation allows us to do this, commented Linda Naidoo, Director of Childline KZN.