IN a bid to assist needy young women, Macekane-based NPO Isibani Sezwe Community Development handed over sanitary pads to 35 beneficiaries on Sunday.
The event was held at KwaMthembu homestead in Emahuzu area.
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‘This organisation was formed to assist needy people, mainly child-headed families, and families struggling to make ends meet,’ said NPO treasurer, Sonto Mkhize.
‘Last year we began distributing food parcels to these families. This project is mainly to assist young women.
‘We provide them with sanitary pads and cosmetics to prevent them from being influenced by sugar daddies.
‘We also talked to them about the dangers of teenage pregnancy, and encouraged them to abstain from sex.
‘We are trying, we know this is not enough, but we are trying our best.
‘We have also embarked on teachings on how to manufacture reusable sanitary pads, which can be washed and re-used.
‘We do this because many people have lost their jobs due to Covid-19, and we believe this could help them reduce household expenses as right now many families depend on social grants.
‘Our next project is expected to begin next month, where we will encourage community members to embark on agriculture to strengthen food security.
‘We will hand over seeds and teach community members how to do gardening.
‘This project will also focus mainly on women, and will help them a lot as we all know that food parcels are not enough to sustain them.
‘This NPO was formed to assist women as they are mostly vulnerable,’ Mkhize said.
NPO additional member, Nkuthalo Mthembu said it is imperative to teach people about the importance of agriculture.
‘Almost everything we eat is from the soil. Agriculture can be used to make a living.
‘It is unfortunate that we are running short of budget, and we ask anyone who can assist us, to donate whatever they can afford to help us fight poverty and hunger,’ Mthembu said.
Mthembu has a diploma in crop and aminal production, and has completed some short courses.
Anyone willing to make a donation can contact the NPO on 079 8103334 or mthembuthabile@gmail.com
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