World Girl Child Day well spent

Vosloorus CPF and SAPS in partnership with Rand Water chose five schools from around Vosloorus to donate dozens of sanitary towels to girls in need on Tuesday, October 11.

The Dignity Project was chosen in line with a UN calendar event, namely International Day of the Girl Child.

According to Buzekwa Hlatshwayo of Rand Water, the five schools that they identified were schools that also participated in talks against alcohol and substance abuse that took place on August 24.

“The aim of the project that took place on August 24 was to address the issue of vandalism in schools that happens as a result of alcohol and substance abuse.

“Today we are distributing sanitary towels to girls in need, because we understand that not all of them can afford to buy sanitary towels.

“We as Rand water in partnership with SAPS and CPF would like to see young girls having quality time, whether they can afford to buy sanitary towels or not,” said Hlatshwayo.

The five schools that benefited from the project were Thuto-Lesedi High School, Vosloorus Comprehensive Secondary School, Ilinge High School, PT Xulu High School as well as Lethulwazi High School.

According to Caroline Ntabeni, the Consumer Studies teacher at Ilinge High School, their school was fortunate to be identified by Rand Water to be part of the project.

“Most of our kids come from very needy families from informal settlements. They can’t afford to buy these things.

“Even our schools are no-fee schools,” said Ntabeni.

Ntabeni concluded by acknowledging the learnership project that Rand Water offers to learners.

“Their learnership guarantees job opportunities if the learner does well. So it encourages learners to do well in Grade 12,” Ntabeni said.

Thembekani Mkhehli (17), a Grade 12 learner at Vosloorus Comprehensive Secondary School, was so happy with the project she could not even explain the feeling.

“Some of us can’t afford to buy sanitary towels,” she said

Fuzile Makaziwe, a teacher from Thuto-Lesedi High School said, “Our kids have serious problems. They need this because sometimes when they are on their menstrual cycle and they don’t enjoy playing like all the other kids.”

All teachers and learners from the identified schools thanked Rand Water, CPF as well as the SAPS for the project and giving dignity to their needy learners.