The National Petroleum Corporation (Namcor) in collaboration with the K’Negongo Foundation on Wednesday handed over 1 000 packs of sanitary towels to the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture (MoEAC).
The sanitary pads will go towards schools in the Kavango East and Kavango West regions and are valued at N$80 000.
Receiving the donation, Deputy Executive Director of Finance and Administration at MoEAC, Knox Imbuwa said sanitation remains a challenge, and a girl child who is in her menstrual period needs decent sanitation care and the absence of that has meant that some opt out to stay at home during this period.
Imbuwa indicated that there are a myriad of needs in education, and the donation will help the ministry meet some of those needs, especially when it comes to the menstrual health of the girl children.
“We have, and I think in terms of our statistics this year, about 864 000 learners, more than 50% of those are actually girls. That should show you the magnitude of relief that it brings to us in terms of the support that you would have given us to that effect,” said Imbuwa.
He added that the ministry cannot quantify it in terms of its positive effect on the children that will be beneficiaries.
Founder and director of K’Negongo Foundation Paulina Kambonde, while handing over the donation, said people should fight period poverty in Namibian schools.
“I also just want to use this opportunity to really request other companies to do the same. Even non-governmental organisations that work with health also, please come through,” Kambonde said.
She also expressed her gratitude to the MoEAC, Namcro and stakeholders for their support.
– Nampa