Dignity Packs For Rural Youth

We're a non-profit organisation based in the rural Zululand,South Africa. We supply girls and boys with dignity packs. These include, soap, toothpaste, sanitary towels (for girls) and deodorant to name a few. We've been operating on the kindness of strangers. We've managed to give away 800 dignity packs to schools in KwaNkombose and KwaMsane. There are many challenges and one of those challenges includes finances. We often find ourselves going home having left a few kids out because there just weren't enough packs. It is absolutely heartbreaking.

We have a database with the names of kids we've met, we monitor their school work and home life, help them with emotional and other support. They have direct access to a team of dedicated individuals who will after them. Most children that we've worked with are from abusive households. The drop out rate is also very high amongst girls who find themselves pregnant. We lost a girl last year, her name was Thandeka. She had been one of the first recipients of our dignity packs. She fell pregnant for the second time last year, in the 10th grade. Fearing what her parents and the community would say, she went to an illegitimate abortion clinic. She died a few days later at only 16 years old. We want to prevent issues like that from happening. We want to introduce rural communities to safer, alternative mediums.

We're appealing to the public to donate towards this initiative. Here are a few frequently asked questions:

Where is the organisation based?

It's based in a rural township called KwaMsane. We have a one room office at the back of one of our volunteer's home.

Have you approached businesses and companies for sponsorship?

Yes, in fact we always have our eyes peeled as well. We've been unsuccessful because we are based in a small town. There's not much to go around.

Can we donate items?

Yes, however since we visit schools, we have to give to most if not all the students so if you're going to donate items, they need to be bulky.