June is celebrated as Youth Month in South Africa, with a specific focus on 16 June, which is also known as Youth Day. Youth Day pays tribute to the school pupils who lost their lives during the 1976 uprising in Soweto.

Childline KZN Operations Manager, Adeshini Naicker said, “At Childline KZN we applaud and remember the young people who took centre stage and fought injustices during Apartheid. We recognise the sacrifices made all those years ago and we also celebrate the achievements made by the youth of today. We are aware that young people face many challenges like drug addiction, poverty, unemployment, teenage pregnancy, HIV and illiteracy.

“We honour our youth and try our best to help them face their hardships. As a long-established organisation we have helped young people for the past 30 years. We offer free help, advice, counselling, therapy and support for children and teenagers in KZN. Issues dealt with by Childline KZN range from bullying at school, suicide and exam pressures, to violence in the home and sexual abuse. There are thousands of abused children as our 24-hour Helpline service, receives up to 250,000 calls a year”.

Childline KZN’s Helpline provides an invaluable educative service and continues to be the primary contact point for concerned callers. The toll-free number (08000 555 55), can be accessed every day of the year, from any landline in South Africa. Vodacom, MTN and Cell C also provide the free service to callers on their mobile networks.

Naicker said, “South Africa has the highest rate of rape and child abuse in the world. Children are society’s most vulnerable and they deserve the best possible chance to rebuild their lives after abuse. There are thousands of young people who need to talk to someone about being raped, sexually abused or bullied. Talking to Childline is often the first step that gets an abused child’s life back on track”.

This Friday, as we acknowledge and celebrate our youth, let us work together to ensure that our youth, especially the most vulnerable and marginalised, are equipped with the proper skills and tools needed to lead better lives.

Naicker added, “Childline KZN reinforces that the fight against child abuse is a shared responsibility, which requires every person to take action. Your support can change a life today. Please donate today and help children break the cycle of abuse”.

Please donate to Childline KZN:

  • SMS. SMS hero to 39555. SMS costs R15. You may send as many SMS’s as you wish, but only residents of South Africa can donate via SMS.
  • Debit order. Donate each month with a debit order.  Simply visit www.childlinekzn.org.za/superhero to download the form, or contact Childline KZN’s office and they will send a copy to you.
  • Credit Card. Credit card donations can be made through a secure online portal. Visit www.childlinekzn.org.za/superhero which will take you to a secure site for donations.
  • Bank Deposit. Deposit directly into Childline KZN’s bank account.
    Bank: Nedbank
    Account type: Nedbank Current Account
    Branch: 148 626
    Account number: 100 311 1971
    Account name: Childline KZN