No fewer than 1 000 grade 8 girls, across 10 schools in the Sol Plaatje municipal area, will be receiving dignity gift bags throughout the second quarter of the year. This support forms part of a ‘Girl Pride’ initiative designed to encourage and assist young girls to stay in school during their monthly periods.
Funded by Matla A Bokone, the programme aims to improve the girls’ health, restore their self confidence, and encourage them to strive for success.
“This initiative is a vital step towards promoting good menstrual hygiene practices, ensuring the physical, psychological, and emotional well-being of young girls in our community. Moreover, it represents a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to address the challenges surrounding menstrual hygiene and empower young girls to reach their full potential,” explained Lesego Moisane, Community Liaison Officer, for Matla A Bokone Solar.
As part of the programme, which is being implemented in collaboration with Sente Group, the learners will be given dignity gift bags containing enough pads to last them up to six months. Moreover, a remainder of the pads will be donated to local non-profit organisations within the Sol Plaatje Municipality. These organisations include Women to Women; Bophelo Youth Care Centre; Sinothando Child and Youth Care Centre; and Lerato Place of Safety.
“As Sente Group, we are really proud to be a part of this extraordinary initiative, where so many young girls’ lives in Kimberley will be touched. We remain committed to improving lives,” said Katlego Nkota, from Sente Group.
In addition to this, the Girl Pride Initiative has also contributed to the stimulation of a young woman-owned local SMME. By engaging a young woman-in-business, this initiative has achieved a triple impact, fostering socio-economic development and empowerment within the community.
One of the teachers from the beneficiary schools concluded by saying, “We as the staff also appreciate the gesture and we thank Matla A Bokone Solar for the great initiative and for making a positive difference in the lives of our girls.”
The schools that benefited from this programme include: Emmanuelle Senior Secondary School, Emang Mmogo High School, Green Point High School, Pescodia High School, Thabane High School, Dr. E.P Lekhela High School, Platfontein High School, Homevale High School, Vuyolwethu High School, and Tlhomelang High School
