Durban — Motivated by her own experiences with the shortage of sanitary pads, Adams Mission resident Zamangwane Khanyile recently launched the “Pad up Girl” initiative at Dr Made Senior Primary School, near Amanzimtoti.
Khanyile, 28, donated pads and gave the boys and girls pep talks on personal hygiene. She also donated roll-ons, toothbrushes and face towels. Khanyile claimed she developed a kidney infection from using tissue paper as sanitary pads as a young girl.
The singer and events organiser said that she decided to select and develop a good cause to use her experience for educating others. Khanyile said she had a passion for assisting others and vouching for equal access to education without any obstacles.
“I could not urinate without feeling pain in my abdomen. I could not walk properly just because of the pain. After visiting the local clinic, they gave me a referral letter to the hospital. That is where they ran tests and I was diagnosed with a kidney infection. They told me that the fact that I had been using tissue paper as sanitary pads throughout my teens led to the infection,” she said.
Khanyile believes that many young girls struggle to access essential menstrual products, leading to absenteeism and a loss of learning opportunities.
“I believe we can change this, one pad pack at a time. By donating, we can help to break the cycle of poverty and ensure the pupils stay in school, confident and focused on their future,” Khanyile said.
School Principal Dolly Mkhize said that the donation was welcomed because most of the pupils come from disadvantaged families and the community was afflicted by many social ills, such as alcohol abuse.
“The pupils are lucky to learn from Khanyile about her personal experience with hygiene. Let us provide dignity and confidence to young learners and empower girls to reach their full potential,” she said.
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