Local organisation donates sanitary pads to girls
The sanitary pads were collected during the street tournament donated by community members, friends and family members.
A local organisation looking after the needs of the community donated more than 60 sanitary towel packs to girls at Gatang Secondary School on Thursday.
Shaw Mphahlele Foundation recently held their third soccer tournament called the Eastwood Soccer Tournament and sanitary pad drive at Mamelodi West Section D2 Eastwood Community Park.
Rhoda Hamane from the foundation said the sanitary pads were collected during the street tournament from community members, friends and family members.
The first batch of 180 packs was donated to the girls’ soccer team that participated in the tournament.
“Gatang Secondary School received the second batch of 62,” said Hamane.
She said the organisation felt there was a lot that needed to be done.
Hamana added that this was not a once-off donation to the school.
“We are planning to collect more sanitary pads for the school and other schools in Mamelodi with girls from disadvantaged families,” said Hamane.
The recent street soccer tournament was in honour of the founder of the Shaw Mphahlele Foundation for his good work in the community.
Hamane said everyone in the community participated in the soccer tournament.
“The Eastwood Soccer Tournament was also a platform to keep children busy and away from the streets,” she said.
The street tournament also gives local children an opportunity to participate in different sports activities.
Shaw Mphahlele Foundation believes that there is a lot of talent in Mamelodi. It believes encouraging children to participate in different sports activities will unleash their hidden talents and help them stay away from drugs crime and teenage pregnancy.
Hamane said: “No schoolgirl or young woman should bunk classes because they can’t afford sanitary pads when we have the ability to assist them.
The schools said they have learners who come from different backgrounds and we try to intervene and help out but it is not enough.
The schools don’t want to see schoolgirls skipping classes because they don’t have sanitary pads.”
The school 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.
Anyone who wishes to assist the foundation with donations can contact Rhoda on 079 119 5896.
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