INLSA

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of Childline KZN at Botanic Gardens were, from left, Mervyn Sigamoney, chairman of the board, director Linda Naidoo and treasurer Norman Moodley. Picture: Gcina Ndwalane

Childline, an organisation where most of the hard graft is seldom in the public eye, took centre stage on Tuesday night at Botanic Gardens as it celebrated 25 years of helping children in the province.

The non-governmental organisation helps children and families who have experienced abuse.

Childline KZN director, Linda Naidoo, thanked all those who had supported the organisation.

“Your action in supporting us has been devoid of all selfishness, and one of unqualified generosity. I applaud you for supporting the many children in this province,” Naidoo said.

Being at Childline was a challenge, she said, but knowing they were supported inspired them to conquer adversity and despair.

Naidoo said she was saying this because not only did they fight to protect children from the atrocities they faced, but finding funds for the sustainability of services was a challenge and detracted from their core business at a time of cutbacks and economic recession.

“Your donation makes Childline possible. I want you to remember that every time you give to Childline KZN, you leave visible marks on the world.

“We have without doubt accomplished the healing and restoration of young children, who would have been lost,” she said.

She said new technology presented the organisation with new challenges in fighting child abuse.

“The trend of infants being raped and circulated in cyberspace needs to be stopped. We cannot accept to be bystanders as long as women and children of this country continue to suffer,” she said.

Chairman of the board for Childline KZN, Mervyn Sigamoney, said that like any NGO, Childline had endured many challenges.

The Round Table and the Victor Daitz Foundation were among the many organisations Sigamoney praised for the assistance they gave to Childline.

“Tonight (Tuesday) I salute every funder, patron, well wisher and donor for taking a stand with us for the past 25 years,” Sigamoney said.

“With your help and generosity, we have helped and supported children from all walks of life.”

The evening was aptly concluded with an act of goodwill that suggests that Childline will persevere as long as donors are generous.

A bidder offered R55 000 for hand painted images being auctioned of South African leaders, including Nelson Mandela, Albert Luthuli and Mahatma Gandhi.

He generously redonated the paintings to Childline to be re-auctioned and another bidder took the set for R54 000 – thereby securing the NGO a total of R109 000.

mpume.madlala@inl.co.za