DETERMINED to make a difference in the fight against period poverty was something that motivated uMhlanga resident Maria King who completed her thirty first 5km run last week.
The Crawford International La Lucia learner ran 5km every day during the month of July, totalling 155km, to not only raise awareness on period poverty but to collect as many sanitary products as she can for a charity of her choice.
She also used the month to bring awareness to period poverty.
Period poverty is a global issue and refers to a lack of access to menstrual products and education impacting the lives of millions of girls who miss school because of not having sanitary products.
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In all, thanks to her efforts and all those who supported her, Maria collected more than 500 sanitary pads that will now be donated to the MENstruation Foundation.
“They are a non-profit organsation that fights poverty and give women dignity. When I started my fundraising drive we were looking for an organisation like them to partner with and when I discovered their mission, our aims aligned and I was only too happy to donate to the cause. The generosity of everyone who has donated has been heartwarming,” she said.
Maria completed her final 5km run on Wednesday, July 31 and was joined by Durbanites who decided to run the last leg of her journey with her.
“I’ve had a few friends and family join in but on the last day I had some people I’d never met before taking part. It was amazing to think they took time out of their day to join me on the uMhlanga Promenade. This fundraising journey also took place during the school holidays and even though I was way in Kosi Bay and Tembe Elephant Park I made sure to complete my daily 5km,” she said.
The 15-year-old also gave some background to how this fundraising mission began.
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“In Grade Seven, I did a project on gender equality, and I was shocked to learn that millions of young girls miss school because of a lack of access to sanitary products. Those statistics and their story really resonated with me, and I felt that now was the time to do something. My sister, Keira, has done a few fundraisers for various environmental causes, and she inspired me to start this mission,” she said.
Maria has already began planning her next fundraiser where she hopes to do a swim in the name of conservation with her older sister.
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