Speaking at the handover of the new library to Ethelbert Child and Youth Care Centre, Vivian Reddy, Founder and Chairman of Sibaya Community Trust said this was the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of the children symbolised through the opening of this library.
He added that 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.
Sibaya Community Trust is proud to have sponsored the infrastructure knowing full well that education is the single most powerful weapon with which we can change the world. At Sibaya Community Trust, our mission has always been clear: to uplift vulnerable communities, to restore dignity, and to spark hope, this launch is yet another milestone on that journey.
Reddy said 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, communities without access to basic resources. We have partnered with countless organisations, just like Ethelbert, who 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.
Reddy commended caregivers and staff of Ethelbert Child and Youth Care Centre, saying they are heroes for giving the children love, structure, and belonging, and that Sibaya Community Trust is simply here to strengthen the foundation upon which Ethelbert’s beautiful work rests.
He reaffirmed the commitment that Sibaya Community Trust will continue to walk alongside communities in need, building not only infrastructure, but futures filled with hope, dignity, and opportunity.
Kathryn Buchanan, Chairperson of Ethelbert Child and Youth Care Centre, addressed the event, saying the launch marks the realisation of a dream they have long held: the dream of building a space that supports and uplifts the education of the children in their care.
She thanked Reddy and the Trustees for the generosity of Sibaya Community Trust that their dream now stands as a beautiful, purpose-built library.
She said that for 118 years, Ethelbert Child and Youth Care Centre has been a place of safety for vulnerable children: “We believe that education – especially the ability to read – is not just a skill but a foundation for healing, growth, and empowerment.”
Buchanan shared the story of a young girl who came to Ethelbert at the age of 9 with no prior schooling. Through the support of her teachers and the remedial programmes, she progressed from grade 1 directly to grade 3 within a year. “Today, she is thriving — a testament to what is possible when a child is given the right support,” she said, as she once again thanked Sibaya Community Trust for the incredible work they do and the lasting impact their support will have on the lives of their children.
