Daily News Milk Fund and Caring4Girls support Phembisizwe pupils

In commemoration of Women's Month, the Imbumba Foundation's Caring4Girls programme and the Daily News Milk Fund joined forces to support 453 pupils at Phembisizwe High School in Ntuzuma. The collaboration provided the students with a three-month supply of sanitary pads, a puberty education session, and stationery sponsored by Freedom Stationery, as the school's matric students prepare for their upcoming preliminary examinations.

Period poverty is a significant issue in South Africa, stemming from severe socio-economic hardships that place a heavy financial burden on families. When families cannot afford menstrual products and proper facilities, it can lead to missed school days, reduced participation in class, and negatively impact the students' learning and overall well-being. The stigma surrounding menstruation also affects their confidence and self-esteem.

Lihle Mthethwa, the Trek4mandela Manager at the Imbumba Foundation, expressed gratitude to the Daily News Milk Fund for partnering with them to make a difference. Caring4Girls focuses on keeping girls in school by providing sanitary towels and puberty education, ensuring that the girls receive more than just the pads. The programme's goal is to equip these young girls with knowledge on puberty, personal hygiene, and growing up as young women, ultimately restoring dignity and keeping thousands of girls in classrooms across South Africa.

Sameera Kareem, CSI manager and project co-ordinator at the Daily News Milk Fund, highlighted the shared vision behind the drive. The Daily News Milk Fund is dedicated to uplifting the health and well-being of vulnerable children, making this partnership a natural fit. She also expressed gratitude to Freedom Stationery for contributing a wide range of stationery to aid the matric students ahead of their trial exams.

Wendy Msane, Phembisizwe High School's events coordinator, thanked the partners on behalf of the school. As a school serving a community with a high rate of unemployment and many child-headed homes, Msane emphasized that the donation goes far beyond just providing sanitary pads and stationery. By standing alongside these young women and addressing their basic needs, the partnership sends a clear message during Women's Month: the partners are committed to supporting the students and ensuring they remain focused on their education.