The boys of St John’s College and girls of the college’s Sixth Form have joined together to collect sanitary pads for schoolgirls who cannot afford these basic necessities.
The Lads for Pads campaign was introduced and explained to the boys of the college by Zinhle Maurice-Mopp of Sixth Form and St John’s head boy Tshepo Chipu at a school assembly.
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Spokesperson for the school Jacqui Deeks said, “In South Africa, seven million girls miss school during their menstrual cycles because they cannot afford to buy sanitary pads. Young men may find this difficult to identify with as this is not a topic that is often spoken about, but we do encourage our boys to empathise with these young girls and women.”
She added that the drive encouraged each St John’s boy to contribute at least one pack of pads which can be purchased for just R11. “All donations will go to the Nelson Mandela Foundation which works with Imbumba Foundation’s Caring4Girls programme.”
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The aim of the Caring4Girls programme is to ensure access to much-needed sanitary products so that schoolgirls remain in school, supporting the development and growth of young South African women.
Donations can be placed in the large red bin opposite the college’s reception. Financial donations will also be accepted at the college’s reception.
Details: www.stjohnscollege.co.za
