Sanitary items are not usually discussed openly, and as a result the very basic need is often neglected.
But, it is a need that Dineo Phadimenyane from the Discover Montessori Pre-school in Discovery identified and addressed. “I wanted to help address this issue, so we decided to host a sanitary pad drive at our school. We wanted to donate all the items we collected to organisations that would really be able to use them, and identified the Child Welfare SA in Roodepoort (RCW) and Girls’ Town in Kagiso as beneficiaries,” she said.
Initially, the donations trickled in, but as the deadline for donations drew nearer, things happened faster. “The deadline for donations was the end of October, and I was very excited when we counted all the donations. We had received 119 packets of sanitary pads, surpassing all my expectations!” a clearly excited Dineo said.
The donations were divided between the two organisations, and the welcome gifts were handed over at the RCW offices. “This is such an awesome, and very welcome, gift, as it is not something we receive often. I think people tend to forget that this is also something we need, and receiving this donation is a big bonus for us,” said Estelle Odendaal from the RCW.
Thumi Modikoe, youth care worker at Girls’ Town in Kagiso, echoed Estelle’s sentiments and added, “We are very grateful, we do not receive these items as gifts, it is usually clothing and other items. I was very surprised when I was informed that we would be receiving this donation.”
Dineo said, “I am really grateful for all the donations made by friends, the community and our parents and want to thank them for their support throughout this drive. But, I do feel that people should not wait for initiatives of this kind to donate – it’s something that they can do on a regular basis, to help make a difference in a girl’s life.”
Yolanda Fillis, the owner of Discover Montessori Pre-Primary School, said that although sanitary products are a basic need, many girls cannot afford them. “This has a huge impact on their daily lives. If they do not have the necessary items, they will not be going to school, some for as long as seven days. This does not only impact their school work, but also their self-esteem,” she said.
She added that she would like to challenge all small businesses, as well as households, to donate at least three packets of sanitary towels a month, to any of these two organisations. Estelle added that, should they need to collect any donations, they will do so.
“We are very desperate for these items, and should the need arise, we can arrange for collection,” she said.
To find out how you can help to make a difference, contact Estelle on 074 430 5440 or by emailing manager@rcw.org.za, or Nthabiseng on 011 692 4346 or kagiso.scycw@gbtown.org.za.
Het jy dalk meer inligting rakende dié storie? Stuur gerus vir ons ‘n e-pos na roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (sluit asseblief kontakbesonderhede in) of skakel ons by 011 955 1130.
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