Joe Public United identified that Always, South Africa’s leading feminine hygiene product, has a programme called Always Keeping Girls in School. This programme provides donations of sanitary pads, as well as empowering educational talks on feminine hygiene and puberty. Because One School at a Time is also committed to always keeping their female learners in school, we sent Always a direct mailer asking them to bring their programme to OSAAT’s Itirele-Zenzele High School in Diepsloot, Johannesburg.
Philosophy
Joe Public United identified that Always, South Africa’s leading feminine hygiene product, has a programme called Always Keeping Girls in School. This programme provides donations of sanitary pads, as well as empowering educational talks on feminine hygiene and puberty. Because One School at a Time is also committed to always keeping their female learners in school, we sent Always a direct mailer asking them to bring their programme to OSAAT’s Itirele-Zenzele High School in Diepsloot, Johannesburg.
Problem
Millions of adolescent South African school girls cannot afford sanitary pads. This results in many of them missing up to a week of school every month.
Result
Not only did this creative solution get Always to bring their programme to Itirele-Zenzele High School, but additionally Always also committed to adding them to the list of schools the programme visits annually. The girls also reacted very positively to Always visiting the school, saying it helped them realise that periods are a normal occurrence and that they shouldn’t feel shy about it. They also went on to say that the much needed donation will help them feel confident enough to attend school. “When I’m having my periods, I’m going to come to school always and I’m not going to miss any more school,” another girl added.