Lack of access to sanitary products can contribute to school absenteeism, and with the handover of a sanitary pad vending machine to a Bloemfontein school, Windmill Casino has helped to keep 600 young women at their desks.
âEach of the 600 girls will be provided with a monthly token which they use at the vending machine that dispenses sanitary pads. No girl should be missing school due to lack of access to proper sanitary products and Windmill Casino hopes that the donation of the machine will help these young women focus on their studies and not have to worry about where they will find pads,â said Johan Oosthuizen, Windmill Casino General Manager.
Lereko Secondary School Acting Principal MF Kibinye said the donation had improved attendance rates. âThe school and governing body are grateful to Sun International and Windmill for the donation,â she said.
To date Sun International has adopted 38 schools nationally since embarking on its educational programme to integrate sustainable practices at schools in 2019, and the properties have spent R15 million in a 3-year period. The programme incorporates various sustainability elements such as social, health and safety, economic and environmental elements.
âDuring this time, we have seen our endeavours pay off, as pass rates have increased,â said Heidi Edson, Sun Internationalsâ Group SED specialist.
Nationally, Grade 12 pass rates, for example, went from 68% to 88.7% in 2020. Grade 11 improved from 56% to 77.04%.
The project has seen three bursaries offered to pupils who excel, a total of 20 classrooms have been revamped with new flooring, as well as stoves and microwaves as required. Taps, fridges and stainless-steel work tops have also been installed. In addition, Sun International built ablution facilities at three schools, developed a netball court, installed whiteboards, installed a solar system, held teacher workshops and math classes, as well as implemented a library programme.
In 2022 we are embarking on a national programme with WESSA (Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa) for 18 schools in our Adopt a School project and the theme will be Sustainable and Climate Resilient and Safe Schools.
âI would encourage more initiatives such as Sun Internationalâs Adopt the School Project because an investment in education is ultimately an investment in the future of our country and the global village of which we are an integral part,â Edson said.
