Caring4Girls gets R2.5m boost
CARING4Girls is one step closer to changing the lives of 1 million South African girls who miss school because they can’t afford sanitary towels, following a R2.5 million donation.
This donation by Engen will be shared among 30 schools, at least three schools in each of the nine provinces, supporting 12 500 girls a year.
The Imbumba Foundation’s Caring4Girls programme was the brainchild of Richard Mabaso.
Yusa’ Hassan, Engen chief executive, said: “We cannot thrive as a society if some of our female pupils are left behind, which is why we are very proud to partner with the Imbumba Foundation and contribute to this very meaningful initiative.”
Endorsed by the Department of Basic Education, Caring4Girls reaches 750 000 girls throughout the country and aims to support 1 million girls next year, and two million pupils by 2020.
Mabaso said they were excited to partner with Engen.
“Thanks to the cash injection we are one step closer to changing more lives. We rely on corporate companies to adopt schools in their area of interest, but anyone can help whether its NGOs, churches or individuals. It doesn’t have to be millions, even a R1 000 makes a difference.
“Menstruation is a barrier to education for many of our girls and restricts their opportunities for involvement in educational and sports activities.”
He started the initiative in 2013 after his niece experienced her first period without a sanitary towel.
Mabaso overhead a fearful conversation between his mom and niece about menstruation, and realised the fear and lack of understanding existed, even within his own family.