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