The Kelly Care Foundation in Schonkenville has made a huge difference for so many girls in the intermediate phase in Tumahole and Schonkenville since it opened its doors in August 2016.
Not only did the organisation hand out 180 dignity sanitary packs to less privileged girls, it is also going to spoil 40 girls who have been identified from the community at the Montgolfier Restaurant at Parys Airfield on 9 December.
The founder of the Kelly Care Foundation is Tatum De Pearce from Schonkenville who, from her own experiences as a girl, knew exactly what kind of challenges these girls face.
Kelly is the name of Tatum’s daughter who was born when she was in matric. Kelly was the reason why her mum could not attend her matric farewell and that is how the Princess Project was born.
‘The first time I had my period, I did not know a thing about sanitary pads. As a matter of fact, I was even too ashamed to tell my mom and aunties who raised me.  I did not know about “hygiene” until I went to boarding school and that is what motivated me to hand out the dignity packs.”
‘My daughter grew up without a father (through God’s grace, he is there for her now), and I do not want that for any other child. That is why I want to tell young people about the importance of safe sex. I am trying to be the person I have never been before. That’s not even half my story. My life’s mistakes       groomed me into the person I am today and, therefore, the Kelly Care Foundation is my personal project,’ she says.
She now wants to extend her project all over the Free State and will carry on when the schools start in 2018.  She will then hand out parcels of school uniforms and underwear for disadvantaged young girls.
Tatum thanks everyone who has already sponsored the sanitary packs and the volunteers who help her. Follow her on her Facebook page or phone her on 073 914 1532.