EVERY month, Dinika Rooy, 29, goes the extra mile to keep girls in school by donating sanitary pads to various BCM primary schools, as part of her “Keep a Girl in School” initiative.
Rooy, who hails from Buffalo Flats, was thrilled with the success of a drive held at the weekend at the had major success when she took her drive to the Vincent Shopping Mall, where she put two boxes outside the Pick n Pay this past weekend, where she put two boxes for people to donate sanitary pads.
She managed to get over aroundMore than 200 sanitary pads were donated by shoppers to the mall. , in the end about 850 of which were donated on Saturday while 190 were donated on Sunday.
She said sheRooy started the “Keep A Girl in School” initiative a year ago after realising many young girls from disadvantaged areas missed school because they could not afford sanitary pads. because she saw a need in the community where young girls from disadvantaged schools are unable to buy sanitary pads which can result in them not going to school.
“A girl came to me last year asking for pads because she did not have money to buy for herself. I gave some to her, and then when she left I wondered how many other girls must be facing the same situation.
“I did my research and I found out that about seven million girls in South Africa are actually going through the same problem and that is where the drive to help stemmed from,” she said.
She said that while doing her research, she also found out that about 25% of girls miss out of school when they are on their periods.
She added that aAfter collecting donations, she then nominates the primary schools that she will donate to. This month, the donations they will be going to Pefferville Primary School and Lujiza Public Primary School in Duncan Village.
Buffalo City Riders (BCR) also supported the drive.
BCR member Teboho Kalele said the club was passionate about helping “the poor and ensuring that our girls stay in school”. came in support of the day.
“We came in support because we are passionate about donating to the poor and ensuring that our girls are staying at school,” said BCR member, Teboho Kalele.
Rooy aims to expand the drive to high schools and other parts of the province. Eastern Cape in the future.
