University of Zimbabwe Student Volunteers Society

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UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE STUDENT VOLUNTEERS SOCIETY - SANITARY WEAR PROJECT REPORT



A wave of excitement went around the Saint Peter's Claver Primary School of the Chishawasha area in the Mashonaland Province when the charitable hand of the University of Zimbabwe Students Volunteers Society (herein referred to as the UZSVS) reached to aid the little angels of the area. The title of "our loving brothers and sisters" became the song of the day when the UZSVS members visited the aforesaid school on the 22nd of November 2014 and gave a donation of sanitary pads to the little girls of the area. The event was held under the theme of "contributing to the welfare of the little angels as they grow into a happy tomorrow".

A strong wave of great joy and excitement could neither be contained nor prevented from penetrating the surrounding areas of the St Peters' Claver Primary School as the members of the UZSVS and the young girls of the school joined together in celebration. The university students, who had joined efforts and even contributed their commitment and determination towards the acquisition of resources, happily celebrated a great achievement in the pursuit of their desire to contribute towards the welfare of the society. At the same time, the little girls were excited to receive a gift of sanitary pads from the club whom they happily referred to as "our loving brothers and sisters". The project materialized from the initiative of Mr. Forichi the club’s programmes officer and his behind the scenes team of Miss Rice, Mr Kavhumbura, Miss Moyo, Mr Musopero, Mr Mapurisa, Miss Nyakubaya, Mr Gozho, Miss Mushonga, Miss Mutowekuziva and Mr Maregwede. The day was made even better by the fact that the club also managed to provide some refreshments to their beneficiaries who joyfully received this additional love of their elder brothers and sisters.

The UZSVS, being a nonprofit making club registered with the University of Zimbabwe Life Skills Department of the university's Student Affairs Division has an ethical motion to contribute towards the welfare of the vulnerable members of the society. Having observed the various challenges faced by people in rural areas the club was convinced that their hand would be a great necessity if the society is to enjoy the gift of life itself. This was further emancipated by the results of a research which confirmed the rumor that most girls in rural areas fail to attend school during those days of their menstrual cycle due to discomfort and fear of humiliation. This suggests that a girl may be away from school for about 4 days every month resulting in a reduction of a total of about 3 weeks from her total curriculum duration of a term. Some have also resorted to unfriendly forms of sanitary wear which included tree leaves, dirty cloths or even worse, dried cow dung. To the UZSVS, this appealed to be both unhealthy and unacceptable. The impact of this drove the passionate club members, under the leadership of the clubs President Mr. Musopero, to endeavor to give a hand especially for the benefit of the little girls who are still so young and innocent.

The determined club members gathered resources from their own personal sources which they supplemented with contributions from their own friends and finally managed to purchase sanitary pads for the little angels of St Peters' Claver Primary School. A vote of thanks also goes to the University of Zimbabwe Disability Volunteers Club for contributing their own finances as well as sending their ambassadors to assist in the success of the project. The aid of Mr Zadzi of Childline Zimbabwe Trust, who provided transport through his own private vehicle, is also greatly appreciated. Further appreciation also goes to the school administration for allowing the club to interact with their students especially the senior lady, Mrs. Mandizodza who both participated and facilitated the project from an internal perspective which included identifying the girls who needed the help offered by the club.

Finally, after all the hustles and bustles of securing finances and planning the project had been done, the members of the UZSVS made it. A total of about twenty (20) girls, mainly in grade five (5) and six (6) managed to get supplies of sanitary pads which, according to the statistics provided by many girls in the club, could sustain them until March 2015 when the club expects to have regained momentum after the vacation. The club also managed to purchase some underpants for the girls which, as proposed by the club members, would be very necessary for the use and enjoyment of the gift of sanitary pads since there was no guarantee that all the selected beneficiaries had enough of these. To bless the occasion, the club also ensured that there were some refreshments to help make the day an enjoyable and memorable one.