Whats the problem?

Girls in impoverished areas can miss up to 25% of their school year because of lack of sanitary products. For just 15 pounds, a girl will receive a complete menstrual solution pack including a menstrual cup that can last up to 10 years, providing a sustainable long term solution to lack of sanitary products and allowing them the same attendance rates as boys.

Why do you care?

We feel that girls shouldn’t be at a disadvantage in their education just because they don’t have access to basic needs. The knock-on effect is that by the time they graduate from school, they have had less classroom time than boys, reducing their chances of passing or meeting the requirements for tertiary studies. In addition the Desmond Tutu foundation has researched and found a link between low school attendance and the chances of contracting HIV.

So by providing menstrual cups we increase girls’ attendance time in school, thereby giving her an equal chance at tertiary education and reducing her risk of contracting HIV.

How will the money be spent?

Project Masiphumelele High School aims to provide each girl with a gift bag containing a menstrual cup, steriliser and sterilising tablets, lubricant and feminine hygiene wipes. Because of household circumstances it is important that we also give the girl the means to practice hygiene. We also undertake to provide a toilet stall with a hand basin for privacy.

Workshops are a key part of this initiative to address cultural and educational barriers.

When will supporters see the difference?

Once funding has been received a workshop can be booked with the school (accommodation might need to be made for exams) within a month of the workshop attendance should start to improve and peak at approximately 3 months.

Here is a video about the school and area by dispatchfilms.com

Masiphumelele High School