The Abigail Women’s Movement based at Khwezi, in Khayelitsha, donated 67 packs of sanitary towels to young girls at Siviwe Primary School last Monday.
The organisation said they wanted to ensure that girls do not miss out on school because they did not have sanitary towels.
The organisation believes that it has the responsibility and duty to make a positive impact in the community.
Co-ordinator, Nonzame Sili, said with the donation they wanted to contribute to restoring the girls’ dignity and confidence.
She also emphasised that menstruation is a natural part of a woman’s life and that it is not something to be embarrassed about.
Ms Sili said there is nothing that makes them happier than putting a smile on a child’s face.
She said the donation was not only crucial to restore the dignity of many indigent female pupils, but also serves to address undue hardship and educational barriers young women face in school.
“Some of these pupils are orphaned and raised by their grandparents while others are heading their homes.
“We don’t want the young girls to go through their monthly cycle stressed because they don’t have the means to protect themselves. We want all pupils to be in class and not have menstruation keeping them away from school.
These are our children and they must know we are here to support them with whatever need they may have,” she said.
Ms Sili said the organisation was established 20 years ago by a group of friends who wanted to see change in their community.
Ms Sili said they wanted to be counted among those who had made a lasting impact in Khwezi and surrounding areas.
She said the organisation has developed a strong relationship with the school and have programmes at the school.
Ms Sili said they support children in orphanages and child-headed homes with monthly food donations. They also do food donation drives on a regular basis in the community.
Principal Phumla Sibene expressed her sincere gratitude to the organisation and praised it for always supporting the school.
Ms Sibene said the school is a community project and could not function on its own and needs the help of the community to grow.
Pupil Alulutho Ndamase said she was grateful to the organisation and the donation means that there are other people who care about their well-being.
Nompumelelo Mdlangu, Khwezi Park Community Association deputy secretary, said they are grateful for what the organisation is doing to uplift the school and community.