‘Brilliant’ gift to comfort young women
FOR her 50th birthday celebration last month, Cecilé-Ann Pearce decided to give back rather than get presents by asking her friends to donate sanitary towels for girls who cannot afford them.
At her party, aptly themed “Period Party”, Pearce’s friends donated sanitary towels instead of gifts, and so far, Pearce has collected 200 packets and received donations to buy more.
“I was not aware that girls actually had to stay out of school because they could not afford sanitary pads,” she said, citing a 2013 article.
A single mother, Zeekoevlei resident Pearce always felt strongly about helping women empower themselves.
She contacted Social Development MEC Albert Fritz to find out which areas needed the most assistance, and he told her about the need in Murraysburg, near Beaufort West.
“My aim now is to collect 900 packets by November – which will last for at least a year – to give to these girls by next year,” she said.
Once Pearce has collected and bought the additional sanitary towels, she plans to go to Murraysburg with Fritz to hand over to the girls in person.
“I would like to advocate that companies who manufacture the sanitary towels should not be exploiting the fact that there is a market for growing their bank accounts, but that they are providing for a natural need.
“For now, I would like to use every opportunity to help give young girls a chance at a brighter future, starting with their confidence,” she said.
Fritz described Pearce’s initiative as “brilliant” to fill a gap of a need in the community. He said government would look at more sustainable alternatives such as reusable pads in the future.