15 Aug 2018

A group of 10 unemployed youths have launched a campaign dubbed ‘donate-a-pad’ aimed at supporting disabled and vulnerable girls.

The group, from Nata/Gweta area, would support the girls with sanitary pads on reaching puberty.

In an interview with BOPA recently, I-am-the-trademark Association founder, Ms Mbiganyi David (33), a mother of two said they would manage to give back love and benevolence to those in need.

She said their aim was to develop the  community which raised them, adding that the campaign was launched last November and the target was to distribute 5 000 pads in the current term.

Ms David said the campaign was inspired by the challenges girl children living in remote areas faced. 

She said government alone could not shoulder all responsibilities.

Ms David, a University of Botswana graduate and a business woman, said people had to recognise the need to support vulnerable children as shortage of pads in schools could have negative impact on their academic performance.

She stated that they had placed boxes in different places where people could donate pads including at Choppies, youth office and in other shops around Nata.

So far sanitary pads donations have been made to Nata Primary School, Sua Junior Secondary School and currently they were targeting Zoroga, Tsokatshaa, Maposa and Sepako villages, she said.

She said teachers had raised concern about girls who were caught unawares by their menstrual periods resulting in disruption of lessons.

This, she said, reduced self-esteem and confidence in girls.

Ms David said some companies and individuals from Gaborone and Francistown supported their initiative but faced challenges of collecting pads from such places.

She said even the leadership from various villages supported them.

However, she pleaded with companies and individuals to also support the initiative. ENDS