To combat period poverty in Namibia’s rural communities, local non-profit organisation Pewa Care Humanitarian (PCH) has launched a campaign to support 5 000 schoolgirls in need over the Easter weekend.
The campaign is the brainchild of Ndapewa Ndongo, the founder of PCH, who has been on a mission to uplift underprivileged girls since 2019 when the organisation was established.
Her desire to make a difference began long before then when she was just in Grade 7. “I grew up seeing rural girls using newspapers and old pieces of cloth during their periods, and it was heartbreaking. Today, so many girls in remote areas continue suffering in silence.” she said. While Ndongo has long been involved in charitable work in Windhoek, she said she had realised that girls in northern Namibia often remain underserved.
The launch of the Easter campaign has already prompted several schools from the north to reach out, seeking urgent support.
In response, PCH partnered Sister Josefina Amutenya, a well-known nurse and health activist, to raise awareness and mobilise resources for the cause.
However, with Easter fast approaching, the initiative is in urgent need of sponsorship and donations to meet its ambitious goal.
“This project is more than just a seasonal campaign. It is about restoring dignity to young girls and ensuring they can attend school without fear or shame.” she said.
Looking ahead, PCH hopes to establish a local studio to produce reusable sanitary pads that last between six to nine months.
She said this long-term solution aims to reduce reliance on external donations and create employment opportunities for unemployed mothers in the community.
Members of the public who wish to support the campaign can follow Pewa Care Humanitarian on Instagram at @Pewa_Care_Humanitarian, email pch.nonprofit@gmail.com, or call +264 814965590.