Cindi - Children in Distress Network

06/10/2026

The campaign is happening this week, and we warmly invite you to join us for this online event, where we share more about our latest major research project: a global kinship care .

What does that mean? Come along and find out.

Today (Tuesday 06 October)
2.00-3.00PM
All welcome 🔗 https://buff.ly/DB568aW

Over the past year, we have asked which policies create the conditions that support children in kinship care and their caregivers. In partnership with Lumos and Ispcan Secretariat, and with over 20 of our member organisations, we mapped the answers across 21 countries.

Children Assistance Program, Cindi - Children in Distress Network, Uyisenga Ni Imanzi, Pendekezo Letu, Hope Village Society Cairo, Voice of Children Nepal, Quidan Kaisahan, Centre for Services and Information on Disability(CSID), Foundation for Innovative Social Development (FISD), CFAB, Kinship Care Ireland, Treoir - informing unmarried parents and those involved with them, Conacmi Guatemala, Taller de Vida - Centro de Desarrollo Psicosocial, Fundación Juconi México, Childlink Guyana, Enfoque Niñez, Associação Brasileira Terra dos Homens

17/09/2026

Yesterday CINDI hosted a dialogue on Boys Affected by Sexual Violence, as part of our Blue Umbrella Campaign , and it was one of the most honest conversations we've had.

Suzanne Clulow shared research CINDI has done with Childline into how social norms leave boys unprotected and unheard. Sinikiwe Biyela from LifeLine & R**e Crisis Pietermaritzburg followed with the reality on the ground: rising numbers of boys affected by sexual violence, and how often it goes unreported. Then Dr Siya Nzimande shared his own story as a survivor, and what helped him heal, a mother who said "I believe you, and this was not your fault." Nokuthula Heath, representing the National Children's Sector, closed by committing to take this to a national level.

South Africa declared gender-based violence a national disaster in 2025. If that's true, then the help everyone is waiting for isn't coming fast enough, so the safety net has to be us.

This is the start of a bigger push: a national campaign, expanded research, and training rolled out to more communities. Thank you to everyone who joined us.

Join the movement. Share this. Talk about it. Help us make 16 April a National Blue Umbrella Day.

16/09/2026

CINDI is hosting a dialogue on Boys Affected by Sexual Violence, part of the Blue Umbrella Campaign 2026. We are hoping you'll be joining us.
Event details:

Date: 16 September 2026
Time: 2:00 – 4:30 PM
Platform: Microsoft Teams
Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/315267655424534?p=xhw0MPs2AQ8zcgn9zI
Meeting ID: 315 267 655 424 534 · Passcode: yW69Wa6r

Join us. We look forward to seeing you there!

12/09/2026

Book the date.

01/09/2026

Please join us and book your place. Looking forward to you joining us. Rekha Nathoo

24/02/2026

CINDI Members in Action 💛
At the request of our CBO Members, we hosted a practical training session on: Child Abuse: Symptoms, Protection & Reporting

A heartfelt thank you to LifeLine Pietermaritzburg for facilitating this important conversation and equipping our members with practical tools to recognise abuse, act in the best interests of the child, and understand reporting pathways.

When community organisations are strengthened, children are safer.
This is what CINDI membership is about, listening, responding, and growing together.

📅 Our next Member Meeting will take place in April / early May 2026. Please call us on 033 3457994 for further information and chat with Noma Mkhize who will guide you regarding Membership meetings or WA Rekha Nathoo on 0664207863.

09/10/2025

🌍 Global Kinship Care Week 🌍
Today we celebrated the vital role grandparents play in kinship care during our special webinar featuring Go GOGO Go (South Africa) and Kinship Alliance Australia. 💛

From Go GOGO Go's iGOGO programme supporting grandparent-led households through digital literacy, to Kinship Alliance Australia’s advocacy for policy change and recognition — our speakers reminded us that grandparents are the heart of so many families.

To all the grandparents raising your grandchildren — we salute you! 🙌💙

07/10/2025

2025 is here – so what does this mean?

In South Africa, kinship care is part of who we are — families and communities coming together to raise children in love, belonging, and connection.

This week, as part of Global Kinship Care Week, the CINDI Network joins partners across the world in recognising and celebrating the long-standing traditions of shared care that sustain our families and communities. 🌿

📢 Join us for a special webinar on Thursday, 9 October at 2PM SAST, exploring the lived experiences of kinship caregivers and the importance of psychosocial support and wellness for grandmothers.
Speakers:
• Hlumelelo Gxotiwe and Nkanyiso Khumalo (goGOGoGo) – Psychosocial support and wellness for grandmothers
• Dr Meredith Kiraly, Researcher and Founder of Kinship Alliance Australia – "It is the story of all of us": Learning from our Indigenous communities
Scan the QR code in the post or email [email protected] to register

06/10/2025

2025 is here – so what does this mean?

📣It means that we are joining together to advocate for better support for Kinship Care, globally.

🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒Kinship Care is a key strategy for family strengthening

❤️‍🩹Kinship Care prevents family breakdown.

📝We are using our global guidance paper to advocate for policy changes and system reform.

…and so much more! Read about this growing campaign:

🔗https://familyforeverychild.org/global-kinship-care-week/

…and help us spread the word.

02/09/2025

A great new WhatsApp ChatBot from Social Change Assistance Trust (S**T) for help with understanding what grants you qualify for and how to apply. Just scan the QR code to get started.

Do you need help understanding SASSA grants? Whether it’s the Child Support Grant, Older Person’s Grant, Disability Grant, or others – you might qualify for support! 💰

Find out who can apply, what you need, and how to apply with help from Maya, your Legal Fundi WhatsApp Chatbot. Maya is here to guide you through the application process step-by-step. Use this free chatbot – right from your phone – it's simple and easy to use. 📲Simply use this QR Code and start asking Maya your questions. ✅

Don't miss out on the support you or your family may be entitled to.