DURBAN - The Sibaya Community Trust chairperson Vivian Reddy handed a cheque for R1 million to the Aryan Benevolent Home (ABH) Council on Friday.
The funds will go towards a new children’s home.
Mohil Bandulal, president of the ABH Council, said the Sibaya Community Trust had done phenomenal work to support non-profit organisations (NPO) and to change the lives of the vulnerable.
Bandulal said the Sibaya Community Trust proved that Ubuntu did exist.
“The Sibaya Community Trust’s care and concern for our children’s welfare shows our children that Ubuntu does exist and that they are indeed valuable members of society. We thank the Sibaya Community Trust and we look forward to strengthening our relationship. The Sibaya Community Trust will positively impact generations of families as its support has enabled our new children’s home to be a home away from home.”
Eshu Seevnarayan, ABH Council member, said the existing children’s home was old and established in 1976, and it also consisted of independent cottages.
“We are deeply touched by the Sibaya Community Trust’s magnanimous generosity. The new children’s home, which will cost us R21 million to build, will be more communal as it will consist of a large kitchen and dining hall thus greatly simplifying the cooking and feeding arrangements. A common central library, study area and central administration offices will enable greater interaction among the children, the management and the social workers.”
Seevnarayan said it was through generous donations such as that from the Sibaya Community Trust that the ABH had been able to survive for more than 100 years.
“We rely heavily on donations as our annual operational expenses amount to R50.3 million. Fifty percent of our funding is subsidised by the state and the balance is raised through fund-raising initiatives. Capital projects like the new home come entirely from donations. Seen in this context, the Sibaya Community Trust’s benevolent donation ensures that we can sustain our home and create much-needed facilities for our residents. We are extremely grateful to the Sibaya Community Trust for lending a helping hand to our home especially in our current economic climate”
Vivian Reddy, chairperson of Sibaya Casino and Sibaya Community Trust, praised the ABH Council for its work.
“I am deeply passionate about the well-being of our children, thus coming to the aid of ABH in support of its new children’s home was an easy decision especially in light of the fact that the ABH is a reputable long-standing NPO doing great work for the aged, victims of domestic violence and our children.”
Reddy also commended the ABH for its work in fighting gender-based violence.
“The ABH has a dedicated facility called the ABH VJ Kara Family Centre that assists abused women and their children.”
THE MERCURY