Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu-Deputy Echo Editor
THE Zimbabwe National Roads Administration handed over dignity packs to more than 760 pupils at Siganda and Sigonde secondary schools in Bubi District, Matabeleland North Province.
The distribution was part of Zinara’s Project We Care initiative, which seeks to support communities through social empowerment and improve the welfare of the underprivileged.
The girls received reusable sanitary pads that last for a year, a bucket, soap, petroleum jelly, and a towel, while the boys received a towel, bath soap, and petroleum jelly.
The gesture aims to promote hygiene and help end period poverty, which continues to affect millions of women and girls globally who cannot afford menstrual products or access proper water and sanitation facilities.
For pupils like Charlene Nkala, a Form Three learner at Siganda, the donation was life-changing.
“As girls, we encounter a lot of problems when it’s time for our periods. Sometimes there’s no money to buy pads, and we end up using pieces of cloth to stop the flow of blood,” she said. “We end up messing up our school uniforms and that causes some of us to miss school during that time. This kind gesture by Zinara will go a long way in ending period poverty and giving us dignity.”
Sandra Ndebele, who dreams of becoming a bank accountant, said she has friends who regularly miss lessons due to a lack of sanitary wear.
“Sanitary wear is very expensive and hard to afford for most children in rural areas. Some of my friends continue to miss lessons when they are on their periods,” she said.
“Other children laugh at you when you soil your uniform. This causes some to skip school. With this gesture, girls can now attend school even during their periods. We would like to thank Zinara for their kind support to us, the rural child.”
Despite the challenges, the boys at Siganda Secondary showed strong support for their female classmates. Warren Bangano, an aspiring engineer who lives 25 kilometres from the school, said they understood the importance of the initiative.
“For the girls at school, no one will ridicule them for staining their uniforms because of their menstrual cycle. And for us boys, at least we can now bathe properly as we’ve been given what we need,” he said.
Luke Banda, who hopes to become a dentist, said the donation showed that the community cared for both boys and girls.
“We believe there are people out there who care about us — not only the girl child but also the boys. I know what girls go through during their periods. This will help them stay in school,” he said.
Ryan Nyoni, who cycles to school and dreams of joining the army, thanked Zinara for not forgetting the boy child.
Prince Muleya added that they supported the initiative to end period poverty as they had seen many girls miss lessons due to menstruation.
Siganda Secondary School headmaster Mr Collen Mguni said the school has an enrolment of 402 pupils, of whom 171 are girls.
He said the school had recorded cases of girls missing class because they could not afford sanitary wear.
“The gesture by Zinara will go a long way in alleviating their plight and promoting hygiene among both girls and boys,” said Mr Mguni.
Sigonde Secondary School head, Mr Sydney Jumo, said the initiative addresses a crucial need and can help learners, especially girls, attend school with dignity, confidence, and uninterrupted focus on their studies.
“This restores hope and reinforces the message that every child deserves a fair chance to learn and succeed,” he said.
Sigonde Secondary School head girl, Angela Mpofu, said the dignity packs will help girls not to miss a day of school due to period poverty. Speaking during the handover ceremony, Zinara board member Ms Mayor Ngwenya said the initiative reflects that they go beyond road construction and tollgate management.
“Through our Project We Care, we are reminded that each road we build must lead to opportunity and each tollgate we operate must serve a purpose,” she said.
“Today, we are here to ensure that our girls are not left behind due to challenges beyond their control.”
Ms Ngwenya said many young girls across Zimbabwe face the painful reality of missing school during their menstrual cycle because they lack access to sanitary products.
“What should be a natural and private part of life often becomes a source of anxiety, embarrassment, and lost learning opportunities. Some girls even drop out of school because of stigma or discomfort,” she said.
She said the distribution of dignity packs was a message of care and empowerment. “We are saying to every girl at Siganda Secondary School — you matter. Your education matters. Your dreams matter. And your dignity matters,” said Ms Ngwenya. She said the initiative aligns with Vision 2030, championed by President Mnangagwa, which seeks to create an upper-middle-income economy where no one is left behind.
“By supporting girls in this way, we are helping them stay in school, remain confident, and pursue their goals without interruption or shame,” said Ms Ngwenya. “Zinara is proud to contribute to that vision by investing not only in roads but also in the social fabric that keeps our communities strong and resilient.”
In a show of inclusivity, Zinara also mobilised hygiene kits for boys, underlining the organisation’s belief in balanced empowerment. “We believe in a community that is evenly yoked — where both men and women are well empowered to lead and to serve,” said Ms Ngwenya.
