Cindi - Children in Distress Network

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.

18/08/2025

Jelly Beanz is offering this free training for professionals working with children. A really great opportunity to learn from experts in the field of trauma informed care.

🌟 FREE CPD Accredited Training for Helping Professionals in South Africa 🌟

Are you working with children who have experienced abuse?
Gain practical skills to provide trauma-informed care and make a lasting difference in their lives.

📚 What you’ll get:
✅ Practical guidance for working with children who have experienced trauma
✅ CPD-accredited training
✅ 100% free and online
✅ Flexible learning – complete at your own pace

📅 Training closes: 31 August 2025

💻 Register here: https://jellybeanz.podia.com/trauma-informed-care-for-children-who-have-experienced-abuse-a-practical-guide-for-helping-professionals

Let’s work together to create safer, more supportive spaces for children to heal. 💛

20/04/2025

Reposting this article that For the Voiceless wrote as part of our 2024 Blue Umbrella Campaign. Still very relevant today. Our boys are not ok and need our support. Please consider signing the petition to have 16 April recognised internationally to support boys affected by s*xual violence. The target is 10,000... and we are already halfway there. Join us! ✍🏽 Sign here: https://buff.ly/7N5wZhO
Family for Every Child

The labelling, identification with a maligned gender and the influence of and schooling in violence, misogyny and s*x, both on and offline, could be fuelling what we fear most – the rise of another generation of violent men.

16/04/2025

💙💙💙☔ Blue Umbrella month starts today☔💙💙💙

From April 16 until May 16, we will stand together to demand justice, recognition and support for boys affected by s*xual violence.

Too many suffer in silence. Too many go unseen.

This is more than a day—it’s a movement. And we need your voice.

✍️ Join 3,000+ advocates and help us make April 16th a UN-recognised International Day.

🔗 Sign the petition https://familyforeverychild.org/bud-signature-campaign/

25/12/2024

Warmest wishes to you and your loved ones this holiday season.

May the spirit of Christmas fill your heart with peace, joy, and love. May the light of the season guide you, bringing hope, comfort, and happiness to all.

May we be a source of kindness, compassion, and inspiration to one another, spreading love and warmth to those around us.

From the CINDI family to yours, we wish you a blessed, joyful, and love-filled Christmas.

With gratitude and appreciation for all your support, the CINDI Team🙏🏼