A local student-run non-governmental organisation (NGO) together with two other local organisations, launched a sanitary pack drive on 3 August, to help young women and girls in the surrounding regions of Stellenbosch during women’s month.
Kholofelo Yarona, in collaboration with the Stellenbosch Chapter of the United Nations Association of South Africa (UNASA) and Aurora PSO, will donate the sanitary packs to the schools and shelters in the surrounding communities.
“We don’t realise that we take a lot of things for granted. We think that just because we have sanitary items, we assume that it is something that people have, but so many people don’t have access to these items,” said Vanessa Mohlala, founder of Kholofelo Yarona.
Through the drive, they hope to create 100 sanitary packs, said Amy Apollis, Aurora PSO house committee member.
According to Katelynn Snyman, UNASA youth literacy coordinator, the sanitary packs, each containing sanitary towels, tampons, roll-on, soap, a toothbrush and toothpaste, will be donated to young girls within the Stellenbosch region that has been negatively impacted by the pandemic.
“We hope that this initiative will create unity and restore some self worth to girls in the poorer communities of Stellenbosch,” said Apollis.
Furthermore, the biggest goal for Aurora and the initiative is to show these girls that there is always someone who cares, she said.
“UNASA advocates for community service and helping those in need, and this is a perfect opportunity to make a tangible change in young girls’ lives,” said Snyman.
People can donate physical items to multiple drop off points around Stellenbosch, including the Maties copy and print shop in the Neelsie or donate money to support the cause, she said.