In its third annual and my first time attending the Fun Walk initiated by Help a Girl Child Foundation (HAG Foundation) with Bafokeng Cares, the elation from the young ones to the adults was a reflection of the glee painted on the participants who embarked on an 8km Fun walk aimed at fostering education through assisting learners faced with financial challenges. Upon arrival at 7:30 AM, participants were already warming up at the Bafokeng Coner where the walk took off, draped in colourful tutu’s, the organisation’s branded T-shirts, paired with athleisure wear and splashes of colours flashing pride. The Soweto weather animating the walk.
The foundation has been in existence for five years and the walk pleasurable for three years, with footprints leading to the objective of raising funds for the underprivileged.
Marketing of HAG Foundation, Tholang Madika, spoke about the growth of the initiative since its inception to help girls during that time of the month.
He said: “Initially the organisation was to help out small disadvantaged girls because there has been a gap with them not having sanitary pads. Now it has grown not for just girls, but every disadvantaged kid. We are just trying to raise funds and donate whatever we can”.
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Its sister brand, Bafokeng Cares’ spokesperson, Nomcebo Mahasha added: “The fun walk aims to encourage fitness, and most importantly, giving back to the community by donating sanitary pads to different schools. It usually takes place around Soweto, making sure no girl child misses school because of lack of pads”.
As we walked in pleasure from Bafokeng Corner, towards the BP Garage in Moletsane, it was still exhilaration with most unwavering. Walkers stayed in tune, intending to succumb the Naledi bridge, which has the highest steep.
The route proceeded via Protea North, cutting through Mapetla Park. Although most seem to be exhausted, walkers were keen at making it to the finishing line. Victory lap took place at Bafokeng Corner, where we initially started the walk. About the success of the walk, Mahasha said: “The success has been overwhelming, and we are grateful to everyone that’s been contributing.
Bafokeng Cares has been an integral part of the whole thing. We want to thank the Help a girl foundation as well as the community of Soweto for giving back and supporting this initiative.
She added: “We thank everyone that supported the fun walk, including all our sponsoring partners. The fun walk would not be possible if it were not for the community of Soweto. Let us all do something today to change our communities something that our future selves will thank us for, and always be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
Help A Girl Foundation is a Non-Profit Organisation that aims at improving menstrual hygiene, and girl child education. Follow their page on Facebook via Help A Girl Child Foundation, and via Instagram @help_a_girl_child_foundation.
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