Ferndale church launches sanitary pad drive for schoolgirls
A local pad drive by Fellowship Full Gospel Church aims to keep young girls in school and boost their confidence.
Accessing sanitary pads each month is a struggle for many girls, leading to missed school days, embarrassment and lost 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.
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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. After donating more than 250 packets, the initiative is aiming higher. “Our main goal this year is to have 1 000 packets of pads so we can donate to more schools in areas like Cosmo City, Kya Sands and Zandspruit,” she said. “We also want to give to schools around Ferndale.”
The initiative aims to remind young girls that their dignity matters and that they are not alone. “Looking at the economy, some families would prioritise important essentials rather than sanitary pads for children. Most people are struggling. So, I want to make sure the girl child is well taken care of, that they’ve got their sanitary pads so that they can go to school.”
Chaplin said that for one young girl, receiving a pack of sanitary pads meant she no longer had to worry about missing school when her period came. “These are primary school kids,” she said. “They also need to be taught at home and school on how to use the pad, as well as hygiene, because most of their parents go to work, so there is no time to have these conversations.”
She added that many young girls feel alone and embarrassed at school during their periods. Chaplin said that with this initiative, a girl could sit in class with confidence and focus on her education instead of worrying about whether she had enough menstrual products.
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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 also be reached at chie.chri@gmail.com or via WhatsApp on 083 334 2912 for more information.
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