Takudzwa Chingandeya
HARARE: Muguta Secondary School students received a generous donation of sanitary wear from School Run Shuttle, an organization led by Nancy Mufudza and Epworth North Constituency Member of Parliament (MP) Zivai Mhetu.
The donation provided all female students with two packets of sanitary pads each, ball point pens and exercise books whose major aim was to fight period poverty and ensuring that girls do not miss school due to menstrual health challenges.
Attracting more than 165 leaners and teaching staff, the event was held under the slogan, ‘Girl Child, The Sky Is The Limit, Girl Child Be Empowered’.
“We previously relied on unhygienic materials, like cloths, that posed health risks, so this donation is a huge relief. Many of us struggle to afford proper sanitary wear, but now we can focus on our studies without the fear of missing school due to our periods,” said one grateful student.
Wearing unhygienic materials like dirty or non-absorbent clothes during menstruation can lead to various infections and diseases.
These include bacterial infections such as bacterial vaginosis (BV) and urinary tract infections (UTIs), which occur due to the growth of harmful bacteria in a moist environment.
Fungal infections like candidiasis (yeast infection) can also develop due to prolonged dampness and poor ventilation.
Mhetu highlighted the importance of empowering young girls through education and self-reliance.
“A girl child should be independent so that she can take care of herself and her family in the future. If she finds a supportive husband, that’s a bonus, but the main goal is to help her stand on her own,” he said.
The MP also spoke about Education 5.0, a government-driven initiative focusing on innovation, industrialisation, and modernisation in education.
“Girls should be encouraged to value education as a pathway out of extreme poverty. With dedication and creativity, they can contribute meaningful solutions to national challenges,” he added, highlighting the need for medical innovations, such as reducing the pill burden for HIV patients or even discovering a cure.
Nancy Mufudza, the founder of School Run Shuttle, urged students to work hard and make their parents proud.
She engaged the students in a discussion about their future aspirations.
The donating team also took time to meet with the headmaster, members of teaching staff and some members of the school development committee which deliberated on other challenges faced by the school as lack of electricity, broken down school vehicle and lack of income generating projects by the school for self-substance which authorities said it is worsened by non-payment of school fees.
