Petals of Power for Girls

Every day throughout South Africa young girls are faced with a decision, shame and embarrassment or an education. One would think that in a democratic, post-1994 South Africa that this should not even be a discussion, never mind a choice that young girls make once a month, every month, due to a lack of simple hygiene products for their periods.

For many young girls in rural South Africa there is a stigma and shame attached to their menstrual cycle, which means that they feel that they need to hide themselves away once a month, every month. For many others, the burden of extreme poverty means that they cannot afford basic hygiene products, such as pads. For all these girls, getting their period means missing school. Their monthly cycle is limiting their eduction.

At SPAR we pride ourselves on living our values of family, entrepreneurship and passion. We feel strongly that each girl has a right to an education. This year your entry fee will be used to help SPAR’s Petals Project, in partnership with various charities across the country, to donate packs of sanitary pads that will help keep girls in school. These donations will help give underprivileged girls an equal chance to compete and lead a full life. Your contribution will help to remove the limitations that girls feel during menstruation and show them that there is no area in their life where they cannot #LiveLimitless.

Testimonials from Footprints Foundation

My name is Fezile Khuzwayo, I am from Nyanyaka High School. We are here to thank you for giving us pads. Thank you so much, we are so happy.

My name is Aphiwe Bhengu, I am from Nyakanya High School in Kwazulu Natal. I want thank you for the pads. They have helped us so much and we are so happy. Some of us come from very poor families where by we cannot afford to buy pads. You have really changed our lives and we really appreciate you so much. Thank you!

My name is Wendy I attend school at Nyakanya High School in Kwazulu Natal...I want to thank you for the help you have rendered to us. Some of us we come from a poor background. I want to thank you for everything you have taught us as we now know a lot of things. Please continue helping, even in other schools. Thank you!

Footprints Foundations aims to level the playing field in the ordinary lives of African boys and girls. One of the projects run by the Footprints Foundation is to supply hygiene products to young girls in disadvantaged and rural ares. SPAR will be partnering with them this year to help keep young girls in school.