BitCo, a leader in call centre technology and licensed voice operator, has donated a complete call centre solution to Childline Gauteng. Childline, as a non-profit organisation, has a mandate to protect children from all forms of violence and to create a culture of children's rights in South Africa.
As South Africans were celebrating the birthday of human rights icon and former president, Nelson Mandela, the world was implored to give 67 minutes of their time to a worthy cause in honour of the 67 years he dedicated to fight against human rights abuses.
It was auspicious that on this day, Michael Colin and Garth van Sittert, the directors of BitCo, became aware of Childline Gauteng's dire need for a call centre makeover. They decided to contribute many “minutes” to children's rights.
Childline was established in 1986 in KwaZulu-Natal, as a result of rising levels of child sexual abuse. Since inception, other provincial offices have opened, with the National Office opening in 2003.
Today, Childline actively fights against all forms of child abuse and fights for children's rights - lobbying Parliament, developing social services as well as offering trauma counselling to abused children and their families. Most importantly, they offer a 24-hour free crisis line.
The crisis line deals with hundreds of queries from children and adults. The line, which provides an invaluable service, receives calls relating to a wide variety of issues and problems. These include bullying, harassment, abuse, neglect, teenage pregnancy, divorce, sibling issues, depression and attempted suicide. The Childline toll free number receives approximately 60 000 to 90 000 calls per month across all the provinces.
Annelie Keyter, head of the crisis line of Childline Gauteng, was actively investigating the market for an alternative call centre solution as it had an outdated system, which was unreliable. Colin learnt of its requirements, and set up a meeting to conduct a site survey.
Upon investigation, it was evident that not only was the system old, but was severely limiting Childline's mission. When asked what functionality Childline would like to have, the simple answer was: “I would like conference calling as I often need to speak to a child and the police at the same time.” This was a shocking revelation for Colin. “We also found that BitCo would be able to save Childline a significant amount of money if we moved them over to our Communigate PBX and supplied them with a VOIP solution,” reports Colin.
The BitCo Communigate PBX system offers Childline Gauteng unrivalled system functionality. For example, conference calling will enable the organisation to speak to children, police and even a social worker simultaneously. Call recording can aid in court cases and least cost routing (LCR) will dramatically reduce Childline Gauteng's telephone bill.
Taking into consideration that Childline Gauteng relies on donations in order to operate, BitCo directors Garth van Sittert and Colin met with Lyne Cawood and Annelie Keyter to announce that BitCo would provide a complete call centre solution to Childline Gauteng, free of charge.
Garth van Sittert concluded: “It was a pleasure and there was never any question about it. When we see how Childline gives children a voice, it is only fitting that BitCo becomes a part of that.”
Rose Courtz Trading t/a BitCo
Reg. no. 2004/093852/23
VAT no: 4660229248Phone: 08600 24826
info@bitco.co.za
www.bitco.co.za
Physical address: Paracon House, Olivedale Office Park, Corner of Olive and Lima Street, Olivedale, Johannesburg
G van Sittert
V van Sittert
M Colin
K Mathee
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