The sanitary pad campaign which was recently founded is aimed at ensuring that local young girls do not miss a day of school because they cannot afford sanitary pads.
Maponya handed out sanitary pads to girls at Mahlane High school in Lephepane village recently.
Maponya who is a third year Strategic Communication and Marketing student at the University of Johannesburg said she did a research project which showed that over eight million girls in South Africa miss school because they cannot afford to buy sanitary pads, resulting in them using old clothes or newspaper.
“This research then inspired me to start a sanitary pad campaign, in honor of Mandela Day on July 18,” she said.
She added that it is a known fact that several organisations are working on providing sanitary pads at schools in Gauteng which she commend but at the same time it breaks my heart because small towns such as ours are neglected.
She said since she started the campaign on July 16 she has had an overwhelming amount of support on social media and from the people in Tzaneen.
“This past weekend, Tzaneng Mall management gave me space at the Woolies Center court to set up a stand where I collected 50 packs of Sanitary pads in two days and an overall of 98 packs in the first five days. Today I have over 300 packs to donate to the school,” said Maponya.
“If we stand together as a community we can make a difference in these girls’ lives and inspire global change by starting in our own home town,” she concluded.
To make a donation Maponya can be contacted on 079 898 1902, WhatsApp: 076 314 6407 or like her Facebook page: Tzaneen Sanitary Pad Drive.
