Keeping girl pupils in school
“If we cannot change the face and the mental state of the present generation in our city, nobody will,”
Recently a group of people have come together to start a project to collect sanitary towels to donate to school girls.
The group has started with was what is known as #Keep a girl in school initiative in eMalahleni; the group decided on collecting sanitary towels and later donating them to school girls that cannot afford to buy any for themselves.
“We have decided to involve men so to raise awareness to them, to strengthen the relationship between the two genders (male & female). Our hope for this is for fathers, brothers and men in the community at large to assist their daughters, sisters and women in the community with sanitary towels. The struggle is a real, thus we want to help curb it. The fundraiser event was not much of a success, thus we are still out and about trying to get sponsors for more sanitary towels, school jerseys and food for the adorable children at Spring Valley Primary School. On the day when we take all that we’ve collected to the children at Spring Valley Primary School, we would love to make the children lunch. We believe in our faith and we still believe it is possible; even if it means reaching down our pockets,” reads a statement from the group.
Pupils of Jeremiah Mdaka Primary School with their teachers after receiving sanitary towels from members of the Cole Social Market. The group has started with an initiative known as #Keep a girl in school.
Individuals in Witbank have donated boxes and boxes of sanitary towels and their involvement is so amazing according to the group. Since there is a need for this to be an ongoing initiative they urge the community to continue giving. The aim of the group is to go to as many schools in eMalahleni as possible. They stated that it was unfortunate that some children are born into poor families, but as Gods able servants we must be able to stand together and help.
The group hosted an event last month in March, were people came and donated sanitary pads. The sanitary pads were donated by the eMalahleni community to young girls at Jeremiah Mdaka Primary School in Vosman.
“It was amazing and exciting to experience their joy. It is greatly heartbreaking to think of how many young girls that come from disadvantaged homes utilize unhygienic methods during their menstrual cycles. So that’s where we draw our strength from and passion to help. We are looking at assisting as many schools as possible in eMalahleni as a whole,” explained the group.
The next school that will be visited will be Spring Valley Primary School. The group held a meeting with the principal recently and she was excited as well as the pupils.
“However Spring Valley Primary School is a special case; the children are in need of a lot of things such as food, warm school uniforms, reading books and transportation. We have decided not only to take sanitary pads to the school but also take food and jerseys if we manage to raise enough funds,” added the statement.
Jeremiah Mdaka Primary School pupils with their teachers holding up the sanitary towels they recently received from members of the Cole Social Market. The group has started with an initiative known as #Keep a girl in school, that of collecting sanitary towels for them.
An event was held on April 23 with the proceeds going to Spring Valley’s Primary School. Other fund raising events are also planned for the children of the school; this will be followed by many other fundraising events for children that come from disadvantaged families.
The group also managed to donate some sanitary pads to Siphosenkosi Centre, a centre for people with disability.
“These children cannot lack so much while we are there in the community. The little we give them and the love we show them will ignite hope in them. Emalahleni has showed us good support and a build up would be great,” added the statement.
Some of the individuals on the forefront of the campaign or project are: Khethiwe Mashiyane, Ntombizodwa Mashiyane, Portia Mbethe,
Salim Mkhonza, Mnqobi Mazibuko, Mduduzi Mafolo and Zolile Nyauza. Emalahleni SAPS as the community protector has also jumped on board according to the group.
“If we cannot change the face and the mental state of the present generation in our city, nobody will,” concluded the statement.
