PCS Learners receive sanitary towels and puberty education

A well-known company that specialises in feminine hygiene products donated nearly 170 individually wrapped sanitary towels to Grade 6 and 7 learners of Pietersburg Comprehensive School (PCS) on Monday. The donation was made possible by the company’s puberty education programme.
The learners were also taught about the different stages of puberty and how to use sanitary towels during the menstruation period.
Company representative Pamla Ramoroka said they wanted to empower young girls about the different development stages that women go through. “The first menstruation can be a traumatising and confusing experience for many young girls. Changes during puberty can come as a surprise to any young girl. Some are scared to talk about puberty with their parents and we thought we should come to them, empower them and also give them a platform to talk to each other about the transformation of their bodies,” she said.
Khomotso Rangongo, Natural Science educator at the school said it was important for the young girls to learn more about puberty as a physiological event that profoundly transforms the human body. “There are so many young girls in our school who need education to improve their knowledge on puberty and menstruation. These young girls come from various cultural backgrounds and some told us that it was difficult to engage their parents on the issue. We wanted to prepare them for menstruation and those who have reached the stage to enjoy the whole process,” Rangongo said.
Malebo Mokobedi, head girl, thanked their visitors for reaching out to them and stressed that they would make good use of the products. “Some of us knew little about the whole puberty and menstruation phase. We are more enlightened and informed now and we will share this knowledge with peers in our communities,’’ Malebo said.

Story and photo: Herbert Rachuene
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