Restoring dignity through reading

A community trust in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is changing the lives of young people who are housed at a child and youth centre for the vulnerable. The Sibaya Community Trust recently handed over a new library worth R1.1 million to the Ethelbert Child and Youth Care Centre in Durban. The trust was established in 1998 with the intention of motivating social philanthropy in the province.

For 118 years, the Ethelbert Child and Youth Care Centre has been a place of safety for vulnerable children. Founder and Chairperson of the Sibaya Community Trust, Vivian Reddy, said the project was not just about bricks, shelves and books.

“It is about opportunity. It is about giving a child the power to dream bigger, to learn more, and to grow into the greatness that lies within them… Our mission has always been clear: to uplift vulnerable communities, to restore dignity, and to spark hope. This launch is another milestone on that journey,” said Reddy.

He added that the Trust has now invested over R270 million in projects that transform lives – from building schools and early childhood centres to supporting health clinics, safe houses and skills development programmes – across KwaZulu-Natal.

“Our focus has been on reaching those who are often unseen and unheard – children without families, women facing abuse, and communities without access to basic resources. We have partnered with countless organisations, just like Ethelbert, that dedicate their lives to serving others.

“The library we unveiled will serve not only as a place of learning, but as a sanctuary – a space where imagination can flourish, where knowledge becomes empowerment, and where every child can believe that their circumstances do not define their future,” he said.

The centre’s chairperson, Kathryn Buchanan, said the launch marked the realisation of a dream they had long held – building a space that supports and uplifts the education of the children in their care. “We believe that education, especially the ability to read, is not just a skill but a foundation for healing, growth and empowerment,” she said.

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