Sanitary dignity project gains traction with fundraiser in Honeydew
With community energy and a bold vision, a group of changemakers is reshaping access to sanitary products.
The Outreach, Uplift, Resposible (OUR) organisation held a fundraiser event at Honeybrew Cafè, located in the Honeydew Eco Village on June 14.
According to founder Ann-lene Olivier, the organisation was started by a group of yoga enthusiasts and friends who, in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, decided to empower individuals and communities, fostering self-reliance and collective support.
Their flagship project, the creation of a practical washable and reusable sanitary pad, aims to break the cycle of poverty by providing women and girls with the means to manage their menstruation hygienically and confidently.
“The secondary goal is to create skills and employment opportunities within the communities that manufacture the pads.”
“The idea was to create a locally produced, sustainable, eco-friendly, washable sanitary pad that keeps girls in school,” said Oliver.
“After two years of intensive design and testing, we’ve managed to create a range of products that is, unlike most existing products, practical. This includes a night pad that can be worn for 10–12 hours if needed.
“Our fundraising cycle is to support our first mass-production run.”
Their product ambassador, Almondre Martin, added even more fun to the event by including a two-minute noodle collection.
Participants in the fundraiser were entertained on the day by the talented dancers of the Glam Dance Company.
