Local company helps 100 girls
Grinding Media South Africa and The Footprints Foundation introduce the Always Keeping Girls in School programme to 100 girls at Ponego Secondary School.
Grinding Media South Africa (GMSA) showed their support for Women’s Month by donating sanitary pads to 100 girls from Ponego Secondary School in Katlehong on Wednesday.
GMSA is a newly-registered entity, recently carved out of the Scaw Metals Group based in Germiston.
This sponsorship is part of the Always Keeping Girls in School programme, managed by local-based NGO The Footprints Foundation.
Together with management, over 160 GMSA employees contributed a total of R6 000 to the project.
Initially, each girl was to receive one packet of sanitary pads, but with GMSA’s support, the girls received six packs each.
“We are pleased to be associated with such a cause and that we can support as many girls as we can in this community.
“We also commend our employees for not only planting the seed of the idea with management but also for the voluntary financial contribution that some of them sacrificed.
“As a result, the company’s decision to financially support this project has ensured that each girl gets an additional supply of sanitary pads,” said Ray Abrahams, acting CEO of GMSA.
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In addition to the donation, the girls were given a puberty education session by Nthabiseng Masalesa, a professional nurse.
The girls had numerous questions for Nthabiseng who encouraged them to have frequent feminine hygiene talks to confront the stigma surrounding menstrual cycles.
“You don’t suddenly become a filthy person that should be isolated when you’re menstruating.
“You can still do all the activities you’re used to doing.
“Be it sports, going out with friends or going to school.
“Your life should not be put on hold just because of your menstrual cycle,” said Nthabiseng.
Nthabiseng advised the girls that using the correct size sanitary pad was also important and so was ensuring that basic hygiene was followed.
“Keeping clean and washing your hands after changing your sanitary pad is very important.
“Remember to always seek advice from your general practitioner (GP) or nearest clinic should you experience complications or need clarity on feminine hygiene,” she said.
“As a newly-formed entity, this is the beginning of GMSA’s support for our nearby communities.
“Our focus areas for our community partnerships are education, health and sport.
“We believe in uplifting and making a difference in the communities in which the company operates,” said Ray.
GMSA affirms that they have a long-term plan to support other community projects in different focus areas.
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