16 Aug 2018

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

The group from the Nata/Gweta area supports young girls with pads when they reach puberty so that they do not lose focus in their academic performance.

In an interview recently, I-am-the-trademark association founder, Ms Mbiganyi David, 33, and a mother of two, said as a result of not having other options to give back to the community, 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 the campaign was launched last November and the target was to distribute 5 000 pads this term.

Ms David noted that their campaign was inspired by the challenges girl children living in remote areas faced, especially those who depended much on government.

She said government alone could not shoulder all responsibilities.

Ms David, a University of Botswana graduate and running a network business, also hosts kiddies parties.

She said people had to realise the need to support vulnerable children as shortage of pads in schools could have a negative impact on their academic performance.

She stated that they had placed boxes in different places where people donated pads for teenage girls.

She said the boxes were at Choppies, youth office and in front of other shops around Nata.

Ms David said they had donated to Nata Primary School, Sua Junior Secondary School and currently they had targeted Zoroga, Tsokatshaa, Maposa and Sepako.

She lamented that during donations teachers raised concern about girls reaching their menstruation cycles unaware. 

She said this 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, adding that even the leadership from various villages supported them.

She pleaded with companies and individuals for support. ENDS