Former Miss Benoni founds NPO

Catherine Reynders, Miss Benoni 2015, is the founder and director of newly established non-profit organisation (NPO) Free To Be You.

Cynthia Glazer (left) and Catherine Reynders prepare to hand out sanitary packs to girls in need on February 3.

The NPO was launched on February 3 at Isaac Makau Primary School in Wattville.

The aim of the organisation is to provide, educate and empower as they don’t believe in giving out sanitary packs without the necessary education and support.

“We give out reusable sanitary towels as the way forward in terms of sustainability,” Reynders said.

“Our goal is to reach as many girls as possible, instead of the same group of girls monthly.”

According to the former Miss Benoni, reusable sanitary towels are made from various types of material which are washable and do not have to be discarded.

“These include four reusable sanitary towels, soap for washing, a washing instruction card, facecloth and body soap,” she added.

“Our reusable sanitary towels were sewn by a Benoni sewing co-operative, Dilimo, as we believe in the importance of supporting local business ventures.”

Together with her directors, Cynthia Glazer and Sotira Petrou, Reynders intends on using contacts to get direction in terms of which schools are in need – and then personally visiting the schools to assess their needs.

“Isaac Makau Primary School is the first school which we are working with,” she said.

“Once we partner with a school our aim is to supply the Grade Six and Seven female pupils yearly as this is not a once-off project, but rather a continuous support of the school for years to come.”