PEP Stores is engaged in various activities to show selfless commitment to improve and change the lives of our remarking customers
Therefore as an extension of their Mandela Day Program and PEP WE CARE CSI PROJECT where they make a difference to the most vulnerable, PEP had handed over full school uniforms including shoes and backpacks to 30 identified learners of Ikhwezi Primary School situated in Ext 23 Bethal.
The main reason that PEP is giving back to the community is that they want to contribute to building a caring society together. They want to restore some dignity to their children who are faced with the embarrassment of not having the proper school attire and that must brace for the cold winter days without being dressed warmly.
“As we all know that education is a key, therefore, it is important that we support with every little we have to our foundation phase or primary school students which is very crucial as a foundation pillar of life of any kid, being able to handover these school uniforms to the learners I can proudly say that we are making an impact in lives of Bethal community,” said Dan Mtshali, Pep Stores Area Manager.
Having a school uniform boosts, motivates and encourages young people to come to school, which will have a significant reduction number of young kids dropping out of school, Sikhula Kunye, meaning we are growing together, is their company culture which symbolizes growth, therefore, in this case, today that’s why they were at Ikhwezi Primary School to plant the seed to the young stars to grow and not making them feel ashamed of coming to school because of lack of uniform to wear.
Ikhwezi Primary School was also a beneficiary of TAKE A GIRL CHILD TO SCHOOL campaign whereby the school received over 200 packs of sanitary pads for girls that cannot attend school due to menstruation periods and girls who cannot afford to buy sanitary pads for each PEP Stores Sanitary Pads Campaign for Underprivileged Girls
70% of Adolescent girls in rural schools have no access to Portable and Safe Sanitary Pads Products is a fact we know it.
In South Africa, young girls are forced to miss school due to a lack of sanitary towels. Unfortunately, this pattern may affect the child’s educational development.
Every day over 300 million women and girls around the world menstruate. A seemingly natural occurrence is turned into a nightmare for millions of young girls through persistent taboos and stigma, lack of access to menstrual products and proper sanitation, as well as lack of education on managing their menstrual cycle.
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The adolescent girls struggling to buy female hygiene products must turn to rags, socks, and even notebook paper, and often lack access to clean water and private toilet facilities. The topic of menstruation can be taboo in many cultures, especially among males, including that of the different cultures in South Africa and young girls can therefore experience shame and embarrassment when they are menstruating and do not have the resources to manage their menstruation hygienically.
PEP Stores Pad Drive Campaign has been launched out of the desire to help young girls stay in school and to help restore and protect their dignity.
“At the same time we still promote the spirit of Ubuntu which is in line with our company culture of Sikhula Kunye (Growing together) in this case we are making sure at PEP that we grow our your girls so that in future they become better leaders,” said Dan.
Thank you PEP stores!
