Nokuthula girls padded

The embarrassment experienced by girls at Nokuthula Special School during their monthly menstruation will cease at least for a month after a donation of sanitary pads to 50 of the neediest.

The humanitarian assistance from a non-profit organisation, Blessed is the Hand that Giveth operating from the Ethiopian Catholic Church on 10th Avenue was sponsored by female well-wishers.

The sponsors and others, help the organisation with material and financial support for onward distribution to needy causes with very little left for their operation and running costs.

Philemon Matume said the organisation, which started in 2016, said they also donate school uniforms and run a soup kitchen at Dr Knack and Ekukhanyisweni primary schools.

“We linked with the two schools for their proximity to our office and in addition, also support Ekukhanyisweni’s tennis programme,” Matume said adding that they intend expanding to East Bank High School depending on resource availability. He appreciated the sponsors’ good gesture to Alex kids.

“They(children) are our future. Without assistance and caring for them, we are going nowhere. The pads will enhance their self-esteem, concentration, performance in class and make them feel comfortable to come to school.”

The school social worker, Albertina Ramogase commended the donation saying it was for the poorest, most vulnerable and often exploited because of their mental and physical challenges.

“As slow learners, they and their families are already overburdened by poverty, worsened by the girl’s embarrassment of not having the very basics like pads, which are a daily and monthly necessity,” Ramogase said.

She appreciated, the donation saying it was a relief which can never be enough and appealed for at least a year’s support to sustain the expectation of the already motivated pupils.

One of the beneficiaries, Sibongile Mohononi (19) who is in the senior phase said, “We like it because it will help us not to miss class.”

There has been a national outcry for government to fund this need under a recurrent budget to ease the pressure on donors given overwhelming poverty and the negative impact on girls missing school while menstruating.

Details: Philemon Matume 063 005 1940.