Childline Kenya meets surge in demand for help
The high number of calls has meant that more counsellors have been drafted in and trained in order to meet the demand.
The toll-free number can be called from a mobile phone anywhere in the country, and has revolutionised the way people in slums and rural areas who don’t have landlines can access help and support.
Campaign success
When the helpline was first set up in 2004, callers were charged to make a call. Plan extensively lobbied the Kenyan government until they agreed last year to make it a toll-free number and as a result, all mobile phone companies currently operating in Kenya must make it available to callers for free.
Irene Nyamu, director of Childline Kenya, said: “There has been a surge in the volume of calls to the helpline since the 116 number was launched and in the number of calls received from remote areas and slums because the helpline is now accessible via mobile phone.”
A high profile and sustained media campaign has also been implemented to raise awareness and sensitise thousands of children and adults on the issue of child abuse, child rights and the helpline.
Specialist support
Before Childline, children and adults had limited places to turn to for help on a range of issues from sexual abuse, forced marriage, legal and health matters. The calls have highlighted a number of problems within the country and Childline is working hard to deal with them. The first step has been to partner with 40 local organisations so that matters can be dealt with by a specialist agency.
The helpline has been so successful that the Childline team is now helping other countries in the region, including Uganda and Zambia, to improve their own helplines.
Margaret Basigwa, deputy director at the Department of Children’s Services (DCS) in Kenya, said: “The DCS commends Childline for being the first on the line to bring out cases of sexual abuse in schools and for mobilising partners to respond appropriately.”
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