Liquor traders donate sanitary pads and toiletries to learners
Concerned Tshwane Liquor Traders Association have donated sanitary pads to Lesedi Secondary School and also raised awareness about drugs and substance abuse in the community of Lethabong.
A local liquor trader organisation donated 272 sanitary pads and 120 toiletry packs to Lesedi Secondary School in Lethabong in the far east of Mamelodi on Tuesday, August 6.
The donations were made by the Concerned Tshwane Liquor Traders Association.
Oupa Mthombeni from the organisation said they went to donate to the school and raise awareness about drugs and substance abuse in the community of Lethabong.
He said they were accompanied by Boschkop police, mental health representatives, and Thandanani Drop Inn Centre, which is known for dealing with drugs, substance abuse and social issues within communities.
Mthombeni said sanitary pads were donated by liquor traders after the organisation heard from Boschkop police that Lesedi Secondary School desperately needed sanitary pads.
“We gladly welcomed the challenge to buy sanitary pads for schoolgirls, and we even went a step further and decided to buy schoolboy toiletry packs,” said Mthombeni.
“Now it is no longer necessary for the girls to bunk classes.”
He said the learners can always look forward to going to school every day without any stress.
“The sanitary pads donated to the school were for backup in case a child ran out of sanitary pads,” said Mthombeni.
“No schoolgirl or young woman should bunk classes because they can’t afford sanitary pads when we have the ability to assist them as businessmen.”
“It is not always the responsibility of the government to take care of its people but a responsibility of the community to uplift each other,” said Mthombeni.
He said the generous donation will boost the girls’ confidence so they can look forward to coming to school every day – even if it is that time of the month.
The organisation also conducted its weekly campaign of encouraging liquor traders to abide by liquor by-laws.
He said the objective of the campaign is to educate members not to sell alcohol to pregnant women and underage children.
“Our aim is to recruit all liquor traders in Tshwane so we can speak with one voice; when we say no selling of liquor to these groups, it should mean nobody sells to them.”
Mthombeni said the campaign targeted all of Tshwane to raise the awareness around the high-risk activities related to alcohol abuse, such as violence, sexual activities, and the spread of HIV/Aids.
Kate Kekana from Thandanani Drop Inn Centre said they have partnered with the Concerned Tshwane Liquor Traders Organisation to create an impact in people’s lives, particularly those who are doing drugs or abusing other substances.
“We are working with their organisation to help raise awareness about drug and substance abuse,” said Kekana.
The organisations also deal with GBV cases whereby they are trying as members to curb this social ill.
“We attend their meetings with our rig truck services and offer our services by educating liquor traders and their customers about the dangers of using drugs and substances,” she said.
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