Online Reporter
Tanaka Nkala, [email protected]
FOR many girls in rural Zimbabwe, menstruation is not only a natural biological process but a painful monthly reminder of poverty, inequality and missed opportunities.
Every month, some girls stay away from school because they cannot afford sanitary pads, silently sacrificing their education because of circumstances beyond their control.
A young man from Gwanda is determined to change that reality – one sanitary pad donation at a time.
Mr Melulwazi Dlamini (24) has become a beacon of hope for vulnerable girls in rural communities through his organisation, ZimInclusive Learning for Youth.
His mission is simple, to restore dignity to the Girl Child and ensure that no learner misses school because of menstruation. Mr Dlamini said his passion is deeply rooted in his own upbringing.
“I strongly believe in the transformative power of education because I am personally a testimony of how education can change lives,” he said.
Having grown up in rural areas, Mr Dlamini understands the hardships faced by disadvantaged learners.
He highlighted how his experiences pushed him to engage directly with rural schools and communities after founding his organisation where he discovered that lack of sanitary wear was among the major barriers affecting girls’ education.
“Many girls miss lessons during their menstrual periods simply because they cannot afford pads. That touched me deeply and inspired me to take action,” he said.
What started as a small initiative at his former school, Halisupi High School in Gwanda, has now spread to several rural schools across Zimbabwe.
Since 2025, Mr Dlamini has donated hundreds of sanitary pads to schools including Khomayanga Secondary School, Mtshabi Secondary School in Nkayi, Mlomotsha School of Excellence in Mzingwane District and Nhlangano Secondary School in Gweru.
At Halisupi and Khomayanga alone, he donated 250 sanitary pads to each school in September 2025 while earlier this year he donated 180 pads to Mtshabi Secondary School and 80 to Mlomotsha School of Excellence.
His generosity has also stretched beyond Matabeleland, with donations reaching rural schools in Chitungwiza.
The world marked Menstrual Hygiene Day on 28 May, with Mr Dlamini raising another 400 sanitary pads to benefit two more rural schools.
His commitment to education goes beyond menstrual hygiene, Mr Dlamini also donated a Mini Starlink Kit at Nhlangano Secondary School, to improve internet connectivity allowing learners in rural communities access to online educational resources and research opportunities.
“I believe digital access is no longer a luxury but a necessity in modern education,” he said.
“My dedication in uplifting rural communities is inspired by the support I also once received.”
Mr Dlamini said the Lutheran Development Service funded his primary and secondary education while the Gwanda Community Share Ownership Trust paid for his tertiary studies.
“Their support shaped my life and inspired my passion for community service,” he said.
