Thabo Kone helped Hammanskraal learners get access sanitary towels.
He started collecting packs from family, friends, former colleagues and his fellow Alumni to alleviate the ongoing plight facing female scholars who often have to skip school during their menstrual cycles.
The teachers and principals identified scholars from child-headed households and those who have to survive on government social grants. Kone said: “This initiative is a ‘call of duty’ to eliminate the humiliation that girls suffer, using unhygienic means to survive their monthly cycles."
He added that the high unemployment rate in his semi-rural community and the evident underdeveloped state of the schools, compelled him to take action. “I know what it feels like to go to school worried about things I should not worry about. In addition, I am where I am today because other individuals helped me through my journey - now it is my time to pay it forward,” said the young humanitarian.
His initial intention was to commemorate this year’s Women Month through this initiative but Kone soon realised that this kind of aid could not be a once off occurrence. His next target is February 2020, depending on the contributions from the donors.
“I will personally look into involving more donors and seek support from different spheres of the society, including corporates and local businesses,” he said.
“I hope this initiative will grow and eventually benefit a boy child, whom in most cases is forgotten, too. My utmost desire is to donate school uniforms, shoes and hygiene kits at least twice a year to as many schools as possible around townships in Pretoria with a prospect including provinces and townships outside of Gauteng,” he concluded.
Kone is an Industrial Intern at the Motor Turbinen-Union South Africa, a subsidiary of Rolls Royce Plc and he is currently completing a B Com Honours: Business Management degree with UNISA.
Kone can be reached on vinnykone@gmail.com