By Hellen Ngunyi | Counsellor, Child Helpline 116
One of our Helpline counselors had this to say about her experience of working at the Helpline and assisting children in need.
When I started working at the child helpline, I expected that this would be like any other job I’ve had before. Little did I know that my experience here would uncover within me a deep commitment to fight for the protection of children from abuse and aid in the healing of those who have been victims of tragic and traumatizing experiences. With time, it dawned on me that this was no feat for the weak or faint hearted. As I answered each call, I heard the desperate need from the children and parents on the other side as they feel they have found THE person who can somehow bring sanity into their lives.
As a counselor, I realized that my voice and my words held such immense power in how the life of a child may be from that day on. The callers always hang by my every word as their ultimate source of hope, direction, refuge and the truth. It is based on this that I made the choice to keenly listen and assist each and every client to the best of my abilities. Given the thousands of children and adults who call the helpline everyday who are in dire need for help, the work can get overwhelming but the realization that for a vast majority of these people the 116 helpline is their last resort is a great driving force for me and fellow counselors at the Helpline.
This need for hope is clear in the voices of the callers and more often than not I have been left wishing there was more I could do. There is disbelief in their voices is clear once they hear a person’s voice talk to them. Some are desperate, disoriented and even frightened for their lives. Having a listening ear, even though far away and unknown is what most of these callers need.
Kenya’s very own Nobel Laureate, Professor Wangari Maathai said, “We could all make a difference in the world through the little things that we do”....... Her little thing was planting trees..... My little thing is giving children a listening ear.... What is your little thing?
This festive season, find it in your heart to support a child who while others are celebrating and having fun is suffering unimaginable torture in the hands of those who are supposed to protect and provide for him or her.
Support Childline Kenya in ending child abuse in Kenya!
http://www.globalgiving.co.uk/projects/change-the-lives-of-child-abuse-victims-in-kenya/
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
