Childline KZN faces closure

MORE than 28 000 children in KwaZulu-Natal will phone Childline KZN’s crisis line next month and unless urgent funding is secured, these children will be left alone in their hour of need, as Childline KZN will close down in September due to a lack of funds.

Childline KZN was founded over 27 years ago and each month offers 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.

Mervyn Sigamoney, the Chairperson of Childline KZN, explained that the organisation has always been in a positive position. However, recent funding delays by the National Lottery, coupled with a changed focus by some previous donors, has left the organization in a critical situation.

“We have been using our reserves to keep going but these are almost finished,” said Sigamoney.

“We have already had to suspend some services due to the financial crisis.

“Children are now forced to face the intimidation of court without Childline KZN’s support; we’ve had to reduce our outreach programme to kids in schools; and stop a number of specialist counselling services. This is a heartbreaking situation as we know the impact this has on children. Already children are suffering due to the lack of funds.”

With only a few weeks of funding left, the situation is set to become a lot worse.

“We are aiming for R7-million to ensure our operations continue for another year. This equates to approximately R14 a child,” said Sigamoney. “It is such a critical situation that every single Rand will make a difference.”

If you can help, SMS ‘hero’ to 39555. SMS costs R15. Send as many SMSs as you wish, or visit www.childlinekzn.org.za/superhero to download the debit order form and credit card donations can be made through our secure online portal. Visit www.childlinekzn.org.za/superhero which will take you to a secure site for donations.

Bank deposits can be made to Nedbank, branch: 148 626, account number: 100 311 1971 and account name: Childline KZN

Potential donors are also welcome to contact Childline KZN directly on email finance@childlinekzn.org.za or phone 031 312-0904.

About Childline KZN

CHILDLINE KZN has 10 satellite offices (one has been suspended due to lack of funds) and provides a host of services to the children of KZN such as:

* A 24-hour, seven-days a week crisis line, court preparation programme that assists and supports children through the court process

* Child sex offender rehabilitation, This is an intervention programme for the rehabilitation of offenders. Childline KZN is the only facility in KZN that is accredited to undertake this work (accredited by national department of Social Development)

* A 24-hour crisis support at hospitals

* Education and awareness in schools and communities

* Community parenting programmes, with parents or guardians

* Lifeskills programmes with youth

* Accredited training programmes and learnerships, recently initiated a programme for 30 high school youth to receive skills training in local businesses, to enable them to earn an income at the end of the programme * Networking and advocacy, speaking up for children and fighting for their protection

* Therapy to children and families

* Adult survivor support

* Ten satellite offices