The handover of Edith Benson Babies Home by Founder and Chairman of Sibaya Community Trust, Vivian Reddy, and South Africa’s Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu, was a momentous and heart-warming occasion.
The event on Friday, 1 December marked a new chapter in Sibaya’s commitment to safeguarding the well-being of vulnerable babies in our community. In her address, Zulu thanked Reddy and the Board of Sibaya Community Trust for supporting the home that would provide love, care, and support to children to children in need and enable them to reach their full potential. “In the words of Durban Child Welfare society’s – giving childhood back to children. This lives up to our belief that it takes a village to raise a child,” she said.
“As Government, we understand times are hard and the economy is not doing so well. At times like these, most business people worry more about the financial bottom line. It is therefore heart-warming to see acts of kindness and generosity from progressive business people like Mr Vivian Reddy, who not only worry about the bottom line, but also the state and wellbeing of communities in which they are doing business.”
Reddy said the establishment of the home was a testament to collective determination to create a safe and nurturing environment for babies who had been deprived of the love and care every child deserves.
“The Home is a beacon of hope for innocent souls who have endured neglect and mistreatment, offering them a chance to thrive and flourish in a setting filled with compassion and support,” Reddy said, adding that the need for such a home arose from the unfortunate reality of the countless babies in our society who are without loving and stable family environments.
“Many of them have been abandoned or subjected to abuse, leaving them in desperate need of protection and care. This home stands as a refuge for these precious little ones, providing a haven where they can experience the warmth of a loving embrace and the security of a nurturing environment.”
The significance of the home extends beyond the physical walls that encompass it, and symbolises our unwavering commitment to standing up for the rights of children, to advocating for their protection and well-being, and to ensuring that they have the opportunity to grow up in an environment that fosters love, resilience, and hope.”
The dedicated team of caregivers and professionals responsible for the day-to-day operations of the home embody the spirit of compassion and dedication. Their unwavering commitment to the welfare of these babies will serve as a guiding light, ensuring that every child who comes through the doors of this home will be embraced with tenderness, provided with the highest standard of care, and given the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.
“As we look to the future, the success of this home will be measured not only in the number of babies it shelters, but in the profound impact it has on the lives of each and every child who calls it home. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that this home serves as a place of love, healing, and transformation, where every child can overcome the obstacles they have faced and build a foundation for a bright and promising future.”
The opening of the home serves as a call to action for the entire community. Reddy said it was an invitation to stand in solidarity with innocent babies, to become advocates for their well-being, and to contribute to the nurturing and supportive environment that will enable them to flourish. “Whether through financial support, volunteerism, or the simple act of sharing our time and compassion, each of us has the power to make a meaningful difference in the lives of these children.”
Desmond Msomi, President of Child Welfare, spoke about the 60-year history of Edith Benson Babies home, and of the fire which gutted the premises in 2018. He thanked Reddy and Sibaya Community Trust for their financial support in getting the new building off the ground and completed, and said more assistance from sponsors was required.
Reddy announced that GUCCI had visited the site and had committed to assist the home.
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