Edith Benson Babies Home reopens 5 years after devastating fire

The Edith Benson Babies Home, in Sydenham, that was destroyed in a fire five years ago, recently re-opened thanks to the magnanimous donation from the Sibaya Community Trust.

The handover of the home by founder and chairperson of the Sibaya Community Trust, Vivian Reddy, and the Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu, was a momentous and heart-warming occasion.

Marking a new chapter in safe-guarding the well-being of vulnerable babies, Ms Zulu, in her address, thanked Reddy and the board of Sibaya Community Trust for supporting the home that has been and will now be able to continue to provide love, care and support to children in need.

“In the words of the Durban Child Welfare Society we are ‘giving a childhood back to children’, enabling them to reach their full potential. This lives up to our belief that it takes a village to raise a child. As government, we understand that times are hard and that 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 Vivian Reddy, who not only worry about the bottom line, but also the state and well-being of communities in which they are doing business.”

Mr Reddy expressed that the founding of the home stood as evidence of the united determination to establish a secure and nurturing haven for infants who had been denied the love and care that every child is entitled to receive. He also revealed support for the home from international iconic fashion brand Gucci – whose representatives had also visited the Home and committed to assistance.

“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.”

He said the need for the home arose from the unfortunate reality of the countless babies in society who were 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 source of 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,” said Mr Reddy.

“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,” said Mr Reddy.

Desmond Msomi, president of the Child Welfare said the Home was more than 60 years old and how devastated the community was when the fire completely destroyed it in 2018.

He thanked Mr Reddy and the Sibaya Community Trust for their support in ensuring a new building got off the ground.