Every girl deserves to have access to menstrual hygiene products. In South Africa 30% of girls still use rags as they don't have access to sanitary pads.. They miss up to five days of schooling a month, leading to school dropouts, lack of self esteem,, teenage pregnancy and abuse of drugs among other things. Pad a Girl Campaign is aimed at enlightening young girls on menstrual health, common infections, low self esteem, personal hygiene etc.

My name is Zukiswa Puwana, a social activist and entrepreneur based in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. I work with rural youth and women. Our focus is youth and women economic development, research, skills development and training, fight against gender based violence and fermicide.

In January 2022, my 25 year old daughter, Sbabalwe(loosely translated we are blessed) passed away due to HIV/AIDS related illnesses. Sbabalwe was an activist, she provided administrative support in our program until she found her niche two years ago, empowering a girl child. Her passing away was very sudden, it hit us very hard as a family..We were consumed by grief until we received a call from one of the girls she supported. The girl said, "mom now that Sbabalwe is no morewhat is going to happen to us? Are you going to stop supporting us?" She pleaded with us to continue supporting them and asked that we donate Sbabalwe's clothes to them. This was a wake up call for us as a family, we realized that as much as we have lost a loved one there are people who depended on services Sbabalwe provided.

We saw this as an opportunity to continue with her legacy. Connecting Teens Mzantsi was born. Connecting This is a platform created for teens to interact, connect, share and learn from their counterparts locally, nationally and globally through a variety of programs. The project grew beyond plus minus 20 girls she supporteds. We partnered with three rural schools. We supply 150 orphans and vulnerable children with sanitary pads on a monthly basis. Most of the children come from child headed houseld who have lost parents through the HIV/AIDS and Covid 19 pandemic. Pad a Girl Campaign is one of Connecting Teens Mzantsi programs. We also support learners with stationery, school uniforms, toiletries and food vouchers and life skills through support groups and workshops. The number if learners supported fluctuates, depending on how much we have raised.

The 150 is the tip of the icebag as the need is huge. We are reaching out to the global community for support so that we can reach more learners.

We are compiling profiles for each benefiary to share with our supporters. This will give insight to the challenges the learners are dealing with. This will also encourage supporters who choose to get involve by adopting a family, a girl or once off donations.

Every person who donates will receive progress updates, should they be interested. Those who want to get more involved by sharing skills,mentorship are welcome.

Thank you for your support. We are because you are( Umntu ngumntu ngabanye)

Contact Person Zukiswa Puwana
Email: [email protected]