Tsholofelo Foundation donates pads in Sosha school

Founder Tsholofelo Phetla said the sanitary pads drive was only their second initiative.

September 28, 2020

Lunga Mzangwe 2 minutes read

Girls at Thutong Junior Secondary School.

The Tsholofelo Foundation donated sanitary towels to the Thutong Junior Secondary School in Soshangauge block K on Friday.

The Soshanguve-based foundation donated 80 paper bags of sanitary towels.

It was established in April to make a difference in the community.

Founder Tsholofelo Phetla said the sanitary pads drive was only their second initiative.

“Our first initiative was in August on my birthday. We went to Phumlani Orphanage home to celebrate my birthday with the kids.”

Phalta said she was motivated by her own background to start the foundation as she was familiar with other girls’ struggles.

“I was raised by my grandmother, my mother passed away when I was seven. Growing up my grandmother made sure I had everything as she was still working, then I realised there are kids who are not as fortunate as I was.

“So I want to help and be there for children who are orphans, that is why I started this NPO.”

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Phetla said back when she was in middle school, she had so many friends who would bleed on their skirt at school and their classmates would make fun of them.

“You would find that some of my friends did not have sanitary pads in their school bags and sometimes they would cover their skirts with the jerseys, it even came to a point where one friend did come to school due to the situation.”

“She even missed an exam and that disturbed her academic results. So that’s why I decided to do this drive to help keep young girls in school especially during this difficult period of time (Covid 19).”

Phetla said she chose Thutong, because she also attended school there.

“Since this is my first sanitary pads drive, I thought I should start at home since charity begins at home and the school is not far from my home.”

She added she is planning to collect sanitary pads and donate them to schools each and every month.

Phetla said for no good reason, girls are not always given the same chances as boys.

“We need to work hard and encourage each other as women. I told the young girls at school that no matter what you look like or think you look like, you’re special, and loved, and perfect just the way you are.”