Swakop school joins hands with governor to donate sanitary pads
Support for 200 girls a month
Erongo governor Neville Andre says a lack of access to costly sanitary pads has a 'devastating' impact on girls' education and dignity.
A private school in Swakopmund has partnered with the Erongo governor’s office to distribute sanitary pads to vulnerable girls across the region.
Learning Right Elementary School and its affiliate, the Kiddie Centre, handed over the first of six planned monthly donations on Wednesday.
The donation consisted of six boxes of sanitary pads, enough to assist approximately 200 girls for one month.
The initiative will continue until December.
“We asked ourselves what we can do to give back,” said co-owner and headmaster Onesmus Nghipundjwa. “This is only the start. The governor’s office will help us identify schools and areas that need help most.”
Restoring dignity
Erongo governor Neville Andre welcomed the donation, describing it as a step toward restoring dignity and educational access for girls.
“This is not just a health issue. It’s a barrier to equality, education and economic participation,” he said.
The donation targets girls who often miss school due to a lack of menstrual hygiene products.
“Countless girls in underserved communities struggle to access pads. The cost is prohibitive and the consequences are devastating,” Andre said.
The education ministry also endorsed the initiative.
“Through the school grant policy, we try to support the girl child,” said Yvonne Tjerivanga of the education ministry.
“But in remote schools, it’s not enough. That’s why we value support from stakeholders.”
The school plans to assess its budget in December to consider extending or expanding the effort.
Learning Right Elementary School and its affiliate, the Kiddie Centre, handed over the first of six planned monthly donations on Wednesday.
The donation consisted of six boxes of sanitary pads, enough to assist approximately 200 girls for one month.
The initiative will continue until December.
“We asked ourselves what we can do to give back,” said co-owner and headmaster Onesmus Nghipundjwa. “This is only the start. The governor’s office will help us identify schools and areas that need help most.”
Restoring dignity
Erongo governor Neville Andre welcomed the donation, describing it as a step toward restoring dignity and educational access for girls.
“This is not just a health issue. It’s a barrier to equality, education and economic participation,” he said.
The donation targets girls who often miss school due to a lack of menstrual hygiene products.
“Countless girls in underserved communities struggle to access pads. The cost is prohibitive and the consequences are devastating,” Andre said.
The education ministry also endorsed the initiative.
“Through the school grant policy, we try to support the girl child,” said Yvonne Tjerivanga of the education ministry.
“But in remote schools, it’s not enough. That’s why we value support from stakeholders.”
The school plans to assess its budget in December to consider extending or expanding the effort.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article