The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund Treks4Mandela

The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund aims to tackle menstrual challenges facing girls through the ‘Trek4Mandela’ initiative.

The organisation’s marketing and communications specialist Ayabulela Poro said, “This Women’s Month, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund will participate in the Imbumba Foundation’s ‘Trek4Mandela’, a 10-day expedition summiting Mount Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania, to raise awareness about menstrual challenges facing the girl child.”

Poro explained that the ‘superwoman club’ comprises various women from different organisations who will climb Kilimanjaro from August 3 in the lead up to reach the peak on August 9, to fight ‘period poverty’ which results in girls missing school due to a lack of sanitary towels.

Trek4Mandela participant and the fund’s chief business engagement officer, Nomthi Mnisi said, “The organisation is adopting the slogan of ‘Climbing Mountains’ so vulnerable children do not have to.”

Mnisi added, “In summiting Kilimanjaro, we hope to raise the profile of children and place their needs on the highest peak in Africa as a statement on their behalf, to say their needs can no longer be ignored.”

Interim CEO of the fund, Dr Stanley Maphosa, said this initiative serves as a continuation of the fund’s 27th anniversary celebrations as well as its ongoing campaign known as #ServeLikeMandela.

“This is a call to our supporters and the public to walk in Mandela’s footsteps and be of service to our society, particularly our children, whom he loved so much. We are extremely proud Mnisi is leading the way in this regard.”

The fund hopes to raise R300 000 through this initiative and the public are encouraged donate funds, of any amount, that will go towards preventing period poverty and supporting the work of the fund across various facets of children’s lives.

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