Pretoria – Dignity Dreams has reached its target to raise sufficient funds to distribute 18 000 Dignity Dream packs to girls and women who are unable to afford sanitary towels.
Dignity Dreams, in partnership with the Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Buti Manamela, has challenged leading corporations to meet the needs of South Africa's schoolgirls during the 67 days between 13 May 2015 and Nelson Mandela International Day on 18 July 2015.
Deputy Minister Manamela launched the Dignity Dreams Nelson Mandela Day Campaign in May, which aimed to raise funds to distribute 18 000 sanitary towels to young women.
Founder of Dignity Dreams, Sandra Millar, said the response has been overwhelming. To date, the figure is sitting at 18 030.
"We are hugely grateful to all our contributors for this incredible support. I would particularly like to thank the hundreds of ordinary, hard-working South Africans who donated their own money to this special cause,” said an excited Millar.
Deputy Minister Manamela partnered with Dignity Dreams to ensure that girls are kept in school, facilitating the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) donation and walking for Dignity Dreams at the 702 Walk the Talk on 26 July.
The Deputy Minister then auctioned his 702 t-shirt for R3000, which went to Dignity Dreams and further held a soccer knockout tournament to raise funds for the reusable sanitary packs.
Deputy Minister Manamela said they recognise the importance of young girls having access to safe and hygienic sanitary pads.
“It is an honour to support Dignity Dreams in the Nelson Mandela Campaign. We will continue in our partnership with Dignity Dreams beyond the Mandela Month and we will not rest until every young girl has access to sanitary towels and is able to complete their education,” said Deputy Minister Manamela.
Ordinary South Africans also contributed towards the cause, among them included Grade 5 and 6 pupils from Glenstantia Primary School and Grade 10 and 11 pupils from St Dominic Girls High School, who all donated their pocket money towards the Dignity Dreams packs.
The largest single donation of R200 000 was donated by the NYDA which resulted in the production of 1 248 sanitary towels.
This was followed by the Bonitas donation of R100 000 and Placecol, which contributed R50 000. Placecol also sold Dignity Dream packs through its outlets and donated an SMS line for the duration of the campaign.
All other contributions were from the South African public and corporates.
The distribution of 18 030 packs will be staggered over the next four months to all nine provinces. So far, three handovers have been done to two high schools in Modimolle and Limpopo Province, and to the Department of Social Development for the benefit of orphaned girls. – SAnews.gov.za
