Masculinity and manhood should never be a barrier for men to buy nappies – this is the view of different NGOs run by men who have started a Diapers Drive.
Now underprivileged children from poor backgrounds will no longer have to stay for hours in uncomfortable, unchanged nappies after the organisations run by men including Father Figure, Ilifa Lekhaya Foundation, Pioneers of Change and NY91 Over 30’s Social Soccer League started the initiative.
The groups met at NY91 Sports field to deliver the nappies to different beneficiaries last Saturday.
Nkosinathi Mahlanyana, CEO of Father Figure, said: “In South Africa, six out of 10 kids are living in poverty, with no proper nutrition, no clean water and no diapers. There are kids who wear one diaper the whole day. But we are changing that. The diaper drive is as important as that of the sanitary towels drive. We are also changing the narrative that men cannot buy diapers. It should be men who go out and buy them. We are also changing the narrative that men are irresponsible and do not care.We are saying no kid should feel uncomfortable because of having to wear wet diapers. We are here to change that and are inviting communities to assist us,” he said.
He said the aim of the organisation was to show that there are caring men out there. He said unemployment and poverty has forced them to be more responsible.
“We live in areas where unemployment is rife. We are aware that there are children who go to pre-schools and creches without proper diapers. Some wear them for the whole day. We all know that clean diapers are a basic need of every baby and toddler, but many families struggle to afford them. That is the reason and many others that we partnered with all these men to launch a diaper drive.”
Pioneers of Change has always made it its point to donate food parcels, sanitary towels, and second-hand clothes to underprivileged families. It also works with local leaders in community-building initiatives and provides financial assistance where necessary.
Tumelo Pudumo, the founding member of the group and NY91 Over 30’s Social Soccer League, said the objective was clear from their side: to assist poor families. “This is men taking the initiative of being men. We are saying no child should suffer while we are watching as men. We would love to help more families and people. We know there is a greater need even than that. But now we have to put the word out there to say please help us to help others,” he said.
He spoke highly of players that are in the teams for their willingness to support and to provide essential support to many families. “These guys are magnificent. They also help children to do their school homework. They provide clothes, sanitary pads, stationery, early Christmas drive and a lot of things in the communities. I am proud to be associated with people like them, real men.”
One of the beneficiaries last Sunday was Andiswa Ncamiso from Little Conquerors Early Childhood Development in Milnerton.
Ms Ncamiso said the donation will not only help those families who have children at the ECD but others that have nothing. “We have a responsibility as an ECD to give whatever we have to the community members. People are struggling in that area. This donation will help bring dignity to our toddlers,” she said. She expressed gratitude and said the initiative by men shows that there are good men out there. She praised them for caring and loving not only their children but everyone’s children.
