Partners help foundation to keep girl learners behind their school desks

The amount of R220 000 has been raised in support of the MENstruation Foundation’s efforts to instal sanitary pad vending machines at schools.

“No young girl should have to choose between her dignity and education due to a lack of sanitary products,” says radio presenter Martin Bester.

Three out of 10 South African schoolgirls still don’t attend school for one week each month because they cannot afford sanitary products.

Jacaranda FM listeners, the station’s Good Morning Angels initiative and SPAR Women’s Challenge Tshwane supported the fundraising project.

The initiative to instal sanitary pad vending machines at schools came about after a group of innnovative and compassionate fathers came up with a solution to address teen girls’ absence from school.

The machines, filled with high quality, locally produced sanitary products are operated by token chip.

To date, 128 of these machines have been installed at schools throughout South Africa.

A designated teacher provides the purchase token chips to learners each month.

The girl learners use these like money to access sanitary pads from the machines in the school toilets.

In an effort to raise as much money as possible, the SPAR Women’s Challenge Tshwane promised to support the foundation through this year’s enrolments for the race on Saturday, August 3.

To get the ball rolling, SPAR and the radio station announced they would donate R120 000 to the foundation in order to instal a number of sanitary pad vending machines.

During the programme, Breakfast with Martin Bester, listeners were so inspired by the project that an additional R100 000 was raised.

“We believe in the power of education and the right of each girl to attend school without interrruptions. The foundation’s work is of critical importance to ensure no girl loses out on her education due to problems around her menstruation,” said Bester.

“I am incredibly proud to be part of this initiative and appeal to everyone to contribute and make a tangible difference in these young girls’ lives.”

For more about the foundation’s amazing work, visit menstruation.foundation.

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