Pad drive in Summer Greens

Ward 78 councillor Eddie Andrews and Closing The Book Foundation founder Ronelle Prins at a pad drive in Mitchell's Plain last month.

The Summer Greens Neighbourhood Watch (SGNW) is planning to end off the year by helping the less fortunate.

The watch is working with the Closing The Book Foundation, a Mitchell’s Plain non-profit, to collect 100 packs of sanitary pads as part of the Pic-4-Pads campaign. They want enough pads to give to 10 schools for the new year.

Closing The Book Foundation founder Ronelle Prins said she had started the campaign in May to help the many young girls who stay out of school during their periods because they can’t afford pads.

“I want them to be able to feel at ease and get their dignity back whenever they find themselves in that position and know that they have the support,” said Ms Prins.

Watch member Feerouza Kruger said it was wrong that girls had to miss school simply because they were menstruating.

“Each year, we get involved in different projects, and it so happens that this year we chose this one. This is a basic need that all women should have access to.

“Imagine a young girl having to miss school for five to seven days each month because they have no proper sanitary wear,” she said.

Ward 4 councillor Wandisile Ngeyi supports the campaign.

“I am all for this project and we as government and as a people should invest in this,” he said.

Ms Kruger urged the public to donate pads at the next Summer Greens Market Day, at the community hall, on Saturday November 3.

“If everyone can contribute one pack of sanitary pads once a month as they do monthly grocery shopping, we could help in making sure no child ever has to miss school because of what happens naturally,” she said.