For many, accessing sanitary pads each month is a struggle, and without them, girls may miss school, feel embarrassed or lose confidence during their periods.

Seeing this need, the Fellowship Full Gospel Church in Ferndale decided to take action. What began as a simple idea soon became a community initiative to collect, buy and donate sanitary pads to underprivileged girls.

Read more: 100 young girls receive sanitary towels

Chrissy Chaplin, who leads the initiative, explained that she started the pad drive last year and that the donations were made to primary schools in Zandspruit.

“Our main goal this year is to have 1 000 packets of pads so we can donate to more schools in areas like Cosmo, Kya Sands and Zandspruit,” she said. “We also want to give to schools around Ferndale.”

The initiative is about more than providing a basic necessity; it aims to remind young girls that their dignity matters and that they are not alone.

Chaplin said receiving a pack of sanitary pads meant one young girl no longer had to worry about missing school during her period. “Most of the young girls sometimes feel alone because parents might be at work or she feels embarrassed at school,” Chaplin said.

Also read: Sanitary pads for Cosmo City women

“With this initiative, she could sit in class with confidence and focus on her education instead of worrying about whether she had enough menstrual products.”

She pleaded with the community to support the initiative through donations, which can be dropped off at the church at 311 Pine Avenue. “One packet will make a difference in young girls’ lives,” she said. “Please support the initiative and help us support the little girls in need.”

Chaplin can be reached on chie.chri@gmail.com or via WhatsApp on 083 334 2912 for more information.

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