Pretty Mtsweni never knew what sanitary towels were while growing up. She only learnt about them when she experienced her first period.
The 35-year-old from Phola in Ogies, near Emalahleni in Mpumalanga, said she got her first sanitary towels at school.
It was difficult to get more going forward because her mother wasn’t working.
Pretty told the publication her mother used to give her a cloth to use.
She now wants to give young girls in her kasi dignity with the Pretty Girls Foundation. She distributes sanitary towels to girls and teaches them about their well-being on Saturdays.
“I started the foundation in December. Growing up in a difficult environment taught me to give back to the community. I collect young girls in my kasi and teach them about periods.
“I teach them how to use the sanitary towels and how to dispose them after use. I want them to be well informed,” she said.
Pretty said she wants her foundation to reach young women on farms.
“Girls living on farms are not well informed about periods. Many of them don’t even know sanitary towels or have money to buy sanitary towels.
“Abomalume give them R10 to buy sanitary towels and may eventually abuse them sexually,” she said.
Pretty said she also teaches the girls about confidence and independence.
“I want them to focus on starting their own businesses. They mustn’t end up in the hands of sugar daddies.
They must be self-reliant.“I motivate them to lead a healthy lifestyle, go to the gym and eat well,” she said.
Pretty said all she wants is to change things for the next generation.
She asked business people to donate sanitary towels, bottled water, and packed fruits.
-daily sun
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