This Mandela Day, a wave of purpose washes over us at Sanctuary Mandela and this year, we’re honored to partner with the Imbumba Foundation’s Trek4Mandela program. Together, we’re tackling a silent struggle that holds back far too many young girls: period poverty.

Imagine the frustration, the isolation, the fear of missing out on learning – all because of a lack of basic sanitary products. This is the harsh reality for countless girls, and it’s a reality that disrupts their education, diminishes their dignity, and limits their potential.

For the month of July, our team at Sanctuary Mandela will be collecting sanitary pads to donate to young girls in need. This initiative aligns perfectly with the Trek4Mandela program’s core purpose: raising awareness about period poverty and its devastating impact on education, dignity, and a girl’s overall well-being.

Did you know a lack of access to sanitary products can cause girls to miss up to 50 days of school per year? Studies show that 30% of young girls in South Africa are affected by period poverty, meaning they do not have consistent access to basic period products and are unable to attend school for several days every month during her menstrual period – jeopardizing educational opportunities that are of immense importance to gender equality.

That’s why we’re partnering with Caring4Girls, a menstrual hygiene support programme that provides feminine hygiene, sanitary towels, and puberty education support to indigent girls; and they have supported 2 million girl children across South Africa and neighbouring countries since 2012. In December 2020, the Caring4Girls programme launched its very own branded sanitary towels, which are SABS approved and profits from their sales work to support providing these essential products to more girls.

We are looking to commit to supporting 67 girls with pads for a year and this is where you come in!

We’re reaching out to our guests and the wider community to join us in making that difference and contributing too.

Every pad donated empowers a young girl to stay in school, to feel confident, and to pursue her dreams. Together, we can create a lasting impact that embodies Nelson Mandela’s legacy of equality and opportunity for all.

Inspired to make a difference? Drop off pads at the Sanctuary Mandela Boutique Hotel within the month of July and we will give you a free cup of coffee for your donation – the only brands that will be accepted are: Comfitex, Kotex, Libresse, Lil-lets, Stayfree and Always.

Alternatively, if you are not in the area, you can make a direct financial contribution to the Imbumba Foundation’s Caring4Girls Programme using this page: www.imbumbafoundation.org/give-back-donate/.

Let’s celebrate Mandela Day by ensuring every girl has the resources she needs to reach her full potential!