A woman on a mission to ensure children from disadvantaged and poor backgrounds are supported and safe has started an organisation to make a difference in the lives of youths.
Named Sibuyisela Ubuntu (“We restore human dignity”), it is a non-profit that aims to assist young girls from disadvantaged backgrounds or communities with sanitary towels to restore their dignity and ensure they embrace their identities.
Said founder Andiswa Sigadla: “We offer education on teenage pregnancy and diseases. We provide adolescent coaching to young boys, as well as support victims of rape and gender based violence. Our aim is to ensure children are supported and safe.”
She said the establishment of the organisation was largely influenced by her upbringing in the remote rural village of Gqamakwe, Emgcwe in the Eastern Cape.
“I grew up in a home of six children, and we were raised by a single mother, who worked as a domestic worker in Butterworth. My upbringing was not easy and I experienced the trauma of not having basic needs such as sanitary towels, which meant that at times I would miss school.
“It had a huge negative impact on my educational journey and I would hate being a girl child at times. The circumstances around me influenced me to start this movement after I realised there were children still suffering and experiencing these same traumas. Also, working in the health department has allowed me to step out and be the difference in communities by helping one child at a time.”
Last Tuesday (14 February), Sigadla visited Christmas Tinto Primary School in Asanda Village, where she distributed hygiene products and sanitary towels to more than 200 learners.
She was supported by Subcouncil 8 chairperson Councillor Chantel Cerfontein and other ward councillors, and addressed the learners telling them to be brave in the face of obstacles and urging them to work hard to change their circumstances.
“I told the girl children never to miss school if they didn’t have sanitary towels, as the community and I will always try to make sure there are sanitary towels available at school, and if not they must contact me.”
Sigadla said the main focus was to keep girl children in school, and not miss out on their crucial education owing to an impracticality.
“I also touched on child abuse and awareness of human trafficking, the dangers of alcohol and drugs, and how to deal with those issues. I am planning more interventions and handovers at other schools in the area and all over the Helderberg, and therefore welcome contributions of any kind.”
V For more information on Sibuyisela Ubuntu and its work, or to donate to or support the organisation’s projects, Sigadla can be contacted on 063 217 9019.
