Bavarian Motorcycles in partnership with Bikers Church Midrand, Christian Motorcyclists Association and the BMW Motorcycle Club of Pretoria got together for the fourth consecutive year to help keep girls in school by ensuring their monthly menstruation cycles don’t interrupt their education.
Since 2013, these motorcycle groups have touched the lives of 1 400 girls in and around Gauteng through this initiative.
Speaking on behalf of the initiative, Natalie Changuion, of Christian Motorcyclists Association said for many girls from varying backgrounds, the onset of puberty marked a sharp decline in school attendance, with the reasons being the lack of sanitary protection and knowledge around puberty.
She expressed thanks for the overwhelming response this year. “We are proud to announce that 700 re-usable Dignity Dreams sanitary packs were put together for distribution into our communities. Roughly translated, this means that 700 school years will be redeemed, this year alone.
“Our first drop-off was in August 2016 where 300 packs were delivered to Laerskool Generaal Nicolaas. Then we headed off to Kanana Primary School and Peter Longwane Primary School in Tembisa where a further 150 packs were delivered. “The remaining 350 packs will be delivered to various other schools and facilities,” said Changuion.
Chief executive officer and founder of Dignity Dreams, Sandra Millar said, “It came to our attention that our beneficiaries – girls aged between 10 to 15 years old – have little or no knowledge about the changes happening in their bodies and we’ve included a strong educational element to our offering and leave our beneficiaries with age-appropriate information about menstrual health and hygiene as well as tackling the very sensitive issues surrounding myths and stigmas.”
Details: To be part of this initiative to help school girls with sanitary packs in 2017 and beyond, contact the Bikers Church Midrand on 0118055491 or email admin@cmasa.org.za
