The board members for Childline KZN. From left: Sershen Naidoo (Board Member), Thilo Reddy (Board Treasurer), Advocate Deshin Pillay (Board Chairperson), Adeshini Naicker (Director, Childline KZN), Iman Mia (Board Secretary), Nozipho Mvulane (Board Member), Vinnie Sivbadhan (Board Member) and Professor Darry Penciliah (Board Member).
Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo ANA STUDIO
**This year Childline KZN celebrates 40 years. **
Speaking at the organisations recent AGM, Childline KZN Director Adeshnie Naicker says growing demand and limited resources made the past financial year difficult, but staff, donors and a new Comrades Marathon partnership helped the organisation continue supporting children across KwaZulu-Natal. This was her address at the AGM.
THIS past financial year has been marked by both significant challenges and deep resilience. There were times when the pressure on the organisation felt immense.
The demand for our services continued to grow, while resources remained limited, and we had to make difficult decisions to keep our doors open and our services going.
Yet, through all of this, the Childline KZN team continued to show up. They continued to answer the calls, sit with children in pain, support families, attend to cases, go into communities and schools, and walk alongside children through some of the most difficult experiences of their lives. Their commitment, professionalism and, most importantly, their heart for this work have carried us through a very demanding year.
From left: Kirsty lee Charlton, Stephanie Gounden, Sunitha Latiff, Huzaifa Kader and Phumla Mkhwanazi
Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo (ANA Studio)
Making sure a child is heard
Across KwaZulu-Natal, children continued to reach out to us in moments of fear, trauma, neglect and crisis. Every call, every counselling session, every school visit and every intervention reminded us why Childline exists.
Our 24-hour helpline, counselling services, school and community programmes, awareness initiatives and court support services remain focused on one thing, making sure that a child is heard, supported and never left without help or hope.
Financially, the year was difficult and required careful management. But despite the pressures, our staff continued to give more than was expected of them. I am incredibly proud of the way they have remained committed to the children we serve, even when circumstances have not been easy.
I would also like to acknowledge our Board, all of whom serve on a voluntary basis and each bring their own area of expertise and specialisation to the organisation.
Thank you for your guidance, your support and for believing in and supporting many of my ideas, even when they meant us stepping outside of our comfort zone.
Thank you for the lessons, the honest conversations and for helping me grow as a leader. In doing so, you have also helped me grow as a Director and, ultimately, helped our organisation grow.
Your commitment to Childline KZN and to good governance has been invaluable, particularly during a year that has required us to make difficult decisions and remain focused on our purpose.
From left: Rose Sivbadhan, Larusha Hemraj, Evashan Pillay, Muhammad Armaan Mirza and Pearl Khumalo
Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo (ANA Studio)
Comrades Marathon beneficiary
We are fortunate to have many donors and supporters who believe in our work. I would, however, like to make special mention of the Victor Daitz Foundation, Round Table
No. 2 and the Department of Social Development, whose longstanding support has meant so much to Childline KZN.
Long-term support provides more than funding – it gives an organisation stability, confidence and the ability to plan for the future. We are deeply grateful for that continued belief in our work.
Another very special highlight of this year has been our association with the Comrades Marathon Association. The financial support this partnership has brought to Childline KZN has been incredibly valuable, but for me, the value goes far beyond the monetary contribution.
To be selected as one of only six official charities is an accolade in itself.
It gave Childline KZN a level of visibility that we could never have achieved on our own.
We not only had the attention of KwaZulu-Natal, we had the attention of the country , and, through the Comrades Marathon’s platforms and international reach, the attention of people around the world and helped them understand who we are and what we do.
Seeing the Childline KZN name and our message across the Comrades Marathon platforms, and knowing that our organisation was being seen during the worldwide broadcast on race day, was an incredibly proud moment.
For me personally, this has truly been one of the highlights of my career. To see Childline KZN recognised in this way, and to know that the work we do for children was being placed on such a significant platform, was both humbling and incredibly rewarding.
From left: Nokuthula Dlamini, Swastika Juggernath, Jarred John Visser and Portia Ngwane
Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo (ANA Studio)
Why we continue
There have been many other moments this year that have reminded us of why we continue.
Seeing a child begin to rebuild their confidence through therapy, watching communities become more aware of child protection, or simply knowing that a child had someone to turn to when they had nowhere else to go, these are the moments that make the challenges worthwhile.
As we look ahead, we know that there is still much work to be done. Our focus remains on strengthening the sustainability of the organisation, building meaningful partnerships, investing in our staff and continuing to evolve our services to meet the changing needs of children and families across KwaZulu-Natal.
The challenges are real, but so is our determination.
To the Childline KZN team, our Board, our donors, sponsors, volunteers and partners – thank you. Thank you for believing in the work we do, for standing with us when thing were difficult, and for helping us continue to be there for children when they need us most.
It remains a privilege to lead this organisation, and I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together.
