ot because she doesn’t love school. She desperately wants to learn and pass the end of year exams with flying colours. But she started her menstrual period last night. And she doesn’t have sanitary protection.

Like many of the girls in her village, Thandi uses rags or old newspaper in place of  hygienic pads. Apart from the risk of infection, these makeshift solutions aren’t reliable. Imagine the humiliation of having to walk around school with a stained skirt … the mocking laughter of the boys … and everyone staring from passing cars as you walk home.

At 13 years old, Thandi is shy and easily embarrassed. So she stays at home and misses school for three or four days. Every month.

Even though the government has removed the tax on feminine hygiene products, a pack of sanitary pads still costs more than a loaf of bread. And for struggling families like Thandi’s, sometimes a single loaf of bread is all that stands between them and going to bed hungry.

Such is the reality of life for many families on the Zulu Missions.

But if you can find it in your heart to send a ‘dignity’ gift right now, we can help girls like Thandi make it to school every day of the month.

Your contribution made online right now will help fund our drive to distribute over 2 000 packs of sanitary pads next month to underprivileged girls on the Zulu Missions. But we’re hoping you might be willing to make a monthly gift towards this very real need, so we can keep the project going permanently.

It’s not just a gift of dignity, but one that enables young girls to stay in school … be present for all their lessons … and have a better chance of passing their end of year exams.

Although statistics aren’t proven, an estimated 7 million young girls in South Africa miss school every month because they can’t afford sanitary protection. It’s called ‘period poverty’, and it’s something that shouldn’t exist.

With your help, we can ensure that young girls on the Missions get the protection they need.

As always, we offer our prayers in return for your generosity. Please click here to let us know about any special intentions you’d like included at our special Masses for Mission friends