Fighting Period Poverty: Learn-to-Live School of Skills Launches Sustainable Pad Dispenser
Period poverty is a silent crisis that forces vulnerable girls to miss school every month — deeply impacting their education, confidence, and dignity. At the Salesian Institute Youth Projects, we refuse to accept that any of our students should face this barrier. That is why we have partnered with the MENstruation Foundation to launch a sustainable solution — the installation of a sanitary pad dispensing machine at the Learn-to-Live School of Skills in Green Point. Learn-to-Live is a registered special needs school supporting pupils with disabilities and learning barriers. This initiative moves support beyond once-off pad donations toward a model that provides continuous, year-round access to essential menstrual products — because periods happen every month, and dignity must be consistent. Why This Matters In Cape Town’s most vulnerable communities, families are often forced to choose between hygiene and essential survival needs like food. The impact on school attendance, confidence, and participation is devastating. SIYP fundraising manager Jo Da Silva spoke plainly about what this campaign means. “Our girls and young women should never have to choose between dignity and survival. No girl should miss school because she cannot afford a pad. This campaign is about access, equality, and creating futures with dignity.” MENstruation Foundation founder Marius Basson echoed this conviction, noting that this sustainable approach “changes school attendance, confidence, participation and futures.” How You Can Help SIYP is actively campaigning to raise approximately R71,000 for the machine’s installation and maintenance. In a major boost, the MENstruation Foundation has pledged to subsidise the remaining balance if SIYP successfully raises around R50,000 from public and corporate support. The campaign’s success will secure a reliable support system, improving school attendance, reducing stigma, and empowering young women across our programmes. We are urgently calling on local corporations, donors, and the community to back the Pads, Power, and Progress campaign — and help ensure no pupil is ever left without access to essential menstrual hygiene products. 👉 Support the Pads, Power and Progress Campaign on BackaBuddy Read the original article as featured in the Atlantic Sun:👉 Fighting Period Poverty: Green Point School Launches Sustainable Pad Dispenser
Learn-to-Live School of Skills Takes on the World, And Helps Target 90% Youth Unemployment Reduction by 2030
The Learn-to-Live School of Skills recently made its mark on the global education stage — and in doing so, positioned the Salesian Institute Youth Projects at the forefront of a national movement to tackle youth unemployment. The school was one of only seven South African institutions invited to speak at the first ever virtual World Education Week conference — a global event led by teachers, for teachers, where 100 schools from across the world were selected to share insights on learning in the 21st century. Learn-to-Live presented on their pioneering implementation of project-based learning (PBL) — a methodology that is now being championed by the Department of Basic Education as a national strategy. A National Target Introducing the concept at the conference was Dr Ria de Villiers from the National Department of Basic Education. The Department’s goal is to institutionalise project-based learning in all South African schools by 2022 — with the ambition of reducing youth unemployment by 90% by the year 2030. Learn-to-Live School of Skills is one of just a few schools currently participating in the pilot phase of this project — a remarkable recognition of the work being done at 2 Somerset Road, Green Point. Why Project-Based Learning Works The primary purpose behind project-based learning is that it encourages learners to think independently, communicate with clarity, manage impulsivity, take responsible actions, and apply past knowledge to new experiences as they explore real-world challenges in a dynamic classroom environment. The goal is the effective creation of better work habits and improved attitudes towards learning — resulting in the long-term retention of skills. Project-based learning unlocks 21st century competencies and solution-seeking mindsets, helping young people become employable, engaged, and entrepreneurial. What Our CEO Said Welcoming viewers to the talk, Fr Pat Naughton, then CEO of the Salesian Institute Youth Projects, spoke about what project-based learning has meant for their students. “I was convinced PBL was what we were looking for — and already our learners’ lives have been transformed. Discipline and attendance have improved and learning is taking place in a joyful ethos.” Watch The Full Presentation You can watch the full Learn-to-Live School of Skills presentation on our YouTube channel:👉 Watch Here Read the original article as featured on SA Good News:👉 Target: Reducing Youth Unemployment by 90% in Year 2030