Nelson Mandela once said ‘Let us reach out to the children. Let us do whatever we can to support their fight to rise above their pain and suffering’.
To commemorate Mandela Day on Tuesday, July 18, Childline KZN’s staff visited Abalindi Children’s Home in Inanda on the 18 July 2017 and St. Thomas’ Home for Children in Sydenham on the 19 July 2017.
Mandela’s legacy lives on through people and initiatives who drive change and make the world a better place. Childline KZN believes in creating positive changes and currently works closely with the two children’s homes by sponsoring and delivering 50 loaves of bread to each home every Friday.
Abalindi Children’s Home is a non-profit organisation that cares for children, youth and young adults from three to 19 years of age. They provide support for orphans as well as other vulnerable children. The home offers a safe, comfortable and friendly environment that puts the interests, well-being and future of every child and young person first. They accommodate over 40 children that have been legally placed in their care by the government.
St. Thomas’ Home for Children is also a non-profit organisation providing residential care to 60 vulnerable children between the ages 2-10 years. The children require care for a variety of reasons, from being orphaned, abandoned or neglected to being physically, sexually or emotionally abused. The homely setting is a place of love and care for children to thrive.
Childline KZN’s staff members helped with chores and interacted with children. The children were treated to fruit, bottles of chocolate milk that have been generously donated by Fairfield Dairy and a sumptuous hot meal.
Childline KZN Operations Manager, Adeshini Naicker said, “The best way to celebrate Mandela Day is to meaningfully engage with the community. As such, we at Childline KZN chose two children’s homes for Mandela Week. The children’s homes serve as a place of safety for children and youth in crisis. When you give and you help children, you have that gratification of knowing that you helped a child today. You are changing children’s lives and showing them that you care. I hope that our visit spread some joy to the children”.