Over 1600 Pimville learners benefit from sanitary towels donation
After going on an extraordinary journey of climbing to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro as part of Trek4Mandela, and an effort to raise funds for the Caring4girls initiative, Linda Reddy has continued on her promise.
After going on an extraordinary journey of climbing to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro as part of Trek4Mandela, and an effort to raise funds for the Caring4girls initiative, Linda Reddy has continued on her promise and donated over 1600 sanitary packs to two Pimville schools. The first stop of the handover was at Musi High School, where 831 girls each received six months’ worth of sanitary towels.
The second stop was Progress Comprehensive, where an additional 798 girls each received a pack of sanitary towels. Speaking on behalf of the school, Grade 12 teacher, Busisiwe Dlodlo said the initiative would have a significant impact. “Firstly, we have to thank Linda and the team for recognising our girls. Some of our learners come from underprivileged households. Having a months’ worth of sanitary towels makes a huge difference. I think you understand how important it is when you look at how happy the learners were,” Dlodlo said.
Reddy, who serves as Nando’s Director of Supply Chain in Africa, the Middle East, and India reached out to business organisations and individuals around the world, managing to raise over R450 000. The aim, she said, was to provide a whole year’s supply of sanitary towels to 2500 girls, reaching at least nine schools.
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“I was a girl like that many years ago. I come from a township school as well. It’s about these girls having dreams and knowing that it is possible,” she said. Reddy also touched on the subject of positive self-esteem. “It was more than just visiting them and giving dignity packs. It was about confidence and motivating them to be confident in their beauty. We had a game where I asked that those who feel confident should raise hand, very few raised their hand and that’s the challenge we have. We owe it to the girls to inspire, motivate and show them their own beauty.”
She concluded by thanking everyone who had donated towards the initiative. “You know, I have to say although this was an initiative for girls, when we reached out to corporate, a lot of companies that said ‘yes’ were owned by men. So I want to give credit to them. That men are also coming to the party and offering something to make a girl child’s life a little bit easier shows an understanding of the challenge and that’s something we have to commend as well.”
Reddy and her team are set to revisit the schools early next year to hand over another supply of sanitary towels.
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