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Sindisiwe Sibanda, Sunday News Reporter
A LOCAL non-governmental organisation, Collin Nyabadza Children’s Voice Charitable Trust based in Bulawayo is bringing smiles and relief to hundreds of girls in Matabeleland North who are struggling to cope with menstruation related costs by donating and manufacturing low-cost re-usable sanitary pads.
The organisation saw the opportunity of assisting girls by donating re-usable sanitary pads to two schools, Somvubu and Esiphikeni Secondary schools, with the desire to protect girls from resorting to unsafe materials like using old newspapers, leaves, old clothes or elephant dung when they are having their periods.
Collin Nyabadza Children’s Charitable Trust chairperson Mr Siqhubumthetho Dube said most girls are tormented by the high cost of pads that is why the organisation has resorted to assist with reusable sanitary wear.
“With the help of Days for Girls and Saskatoon organisation based in Canada we took it upon ourselves to assist most girls especially in the rural areas and donated sanitary wear that will assist them in their menstrual periods without worrying how often they will use. We managed to donate to two schools that are Somvubu and Esiphikeni Secondary schools in Bubi district.
“We saw that most girls go to the extent of sharing tights and even one reusable pad to help a friend in need which at the end of the day is not healthy therefore diseases can be passed on,” said Mr Dube.
He added that the organisation is also operating in Matobo, Umzingwane and Tsholotsho districts with the hope of forming clubs and training teachers to participate in the reusable sanitary programme.
“We look forward to training teachers and children on how to manufacture these reusable pads. The organisation will provide sewing machines to the schools for the sewing of the sanitary wear and the schools will make them available at a very affordable cost at school level,” said Dube.
Meanwhile, a local woman-cum youth champion last month partnered with Scripture Union Zimbabwe (SUZ) to educate and distribute sanitary wear to underprivileged women and girls living in Cabatsha settlement and Ngozi Mine in Bulawayo.
International Republican Institute senior programme associate Miss Mantate Mlotshwa, said they donated more than 300 sanitary pads to young women and girls living in Ngozi Mine and Cabatsha settlement.
“My goal is to remind girls that no matter how hard the situation is, they could still be identified as dignified women. It is not just about donating sanitary pads, but teaching menstrual hygiene, health and reinstating pride in being a woman.
“When I got feedback that the campaign went according to plan, I felt that the campaign has been worth it as 66 women and girls each received three packets and the remaining 102 were donated to schoolgirls at Ingwizi community,” said Miss Mlotshwa.
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