NEW foundation set up to help girls stay in school
A Miss Radiant South Africa finalist, Nthabeleng Monabe, is on a mission to empower young women through her NEW (Nthabeleng Empowering Women) foundation and help young girls stay in school.
A Miss Radiant South Africa finalist, Nthabeleng Monabe, is on a mission to empower young women through her NEW (Nthabeleng Empowering Women) foundation and help young girls stay in school.
The NEW foundation is a sanitary towel drive that aims to help young women who cannot afford to buy them. “I believe the pads should be free because not everyone has access to them,” says Nthabeleng.
The fact that girls sometimes miss school during the menstrual cycle does not sit well with Nthabaleng. It was something she also experienced in high school, so she wanted to change reality for the younger generation. The knowledge that girls sit at home, using old clothes or tissues as sanitary pads was something she couldn’t let go and decided to do something about it. “It has always been my desire to give to the less privileged, even when I had nothing. I strongly believe riches are determined by the number of people you touch,” she said.
She went around asking for donations without success, so she decided to buy the pads herself. She felt there would be no progress if she waited.
For their first project, she and her sister, Mpho, managed to donate 50 packs for 50 schoolgirls at Seiphemelo Secondary School. “Seeing how happy they were brought joy and happiness to my heart. It’s all about giving back to the community with a pure heart,” she said.
The foundation is relatively new, but she hopes that, in future, she will not only be able to donate to local schools but to women’s shelters, charities and other organisations.
Anyone wishing to donate any sanitary towels, toiletries or underwear can contact Nthabeleng at 084 976 4709.
She wants to thank everyone for their support throughout her journey so far.
