Transforming lives: the impact of the new library at Ethelbert Centre

A new chapter has begun for the children at the Ethelbert Child and Youth Care Centre, after a state-of-the-art library was designed to inspire and uplift. 

The ceremony, held on Friday, saw Vivian Reddy, the Founder and Chairman of the Sibaya Community Trust, introduce the library as a vital resource that goes beyond mere infrastructure. 

He said it served as a beacon of opportunity for the vulnerable children in its care.

Reddy said the project was not just about bricks, shelves, and books. It was about opportunity, and it was about giving a child the power to dream bigger, to learn more, and to grow into the greatness that lies within them. 

He said the trust had now invested more than 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." 

Reddy said the library would serve not only as a place of learning but as a sanctuary. 

"It is 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 commended the caregivers and staff of the centre, saying they were heroes for giving the children love, structure, and belonging, and that the Sibaya Community Trust was simply here to strengthen the foundation upon which Ethelbert's beautiful work rested.

Reddy reaffirmed the commitment that the Sibaya Community Trust would continue to walk alongside communities in need, building not only infrastructure, but futures filled with hope, dignity, and opportunity.

Kathryn Buchanan, the chairperson of the centre, said the launch marked the realisation of a dream they have long held: the dream of building a space that supported and uplifted the education of the children in their care. 

She said that for 118 years, the centre had 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 went 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." 

The Sibaya Community Trust's mission is to uplift vulnerable communities, restore dignity, and spark hope.

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