WikiLeaks, girls don’t
The two schools are located close to AfriSam’s Zeekoewater Aggregate operation outside eMalahleni
South Africa’s leading construction materials company, AfriSam, is on drive to ensure that girl children do not miss schools due to lack of basic sanitary towels in areas closer to its operations.
On July 10 the company extended the same gesture to 1 600 pupils who attend Leonard Nthuntshe Secondary School and DM Motsaosele Secondary School in KwaGuqa.
The two schools are located close to AfriSam’s Zeekoewater Aggregate operation outside eMalahleni.
“The lack of sanitary wear remains a great concern for underprivileged girls and in most occasions, this has led to girls missing school for weeks by year end. We believe that this initiative will empower pupils and will indirectly contribute to increased attendance and higher pass rate in these two schools,” said Jabu Motlhako, AfriSam enterprise and supplier development manager.
The company’s donation is a result of continuous engagement with local communities located closer to its operations.
The purpose of the engagement is to build strong mutual relationships with the local communities which are usually their labour sending areas, to understand their needs and identify ways to assist them besides offering job opportunities where they arise.
Having recognised that the lack of sanitary wear is an obstacle, AfriSam undertook to start a programme to support local pupils with this necessity.
AfriSam provided a four months’ supply of sanitary towels to 1 597 young girls in the two schools.
“We are very grateful for what AfriSam has done for us. Our area, Kwa-Guqa is facing tough socio-economic challenges. Our young girls often miss school because they feel embarrassed about menstruation and lack of necessary sanitary wear. We wish to have an ongoing relationship with AfriSam so that they may continue to restore the dignity of the girl child”, said Mr Thamsanqa Nkosi the principal of Leonard Ntshuntshe Secondary.
