Chiredzi women venture into re-usable pads making

Chiredzi(New Ziana) -Local Non-Governmental Organisation, Divine Foundation, has trained at least 95 women and girls in Chiredzi, Masvingo province, to make re-usable sanitary pads.

Divine Foundation leader Tafara Pondiwa said the organisation identified less privileged women and girls and trained them on self-help projects as a way of improving their standards of living.

“We do not expect anything in return,” said Pondiwa.

Apart from free training, the organisation provides the women with start-up capital and equipment such as sewing machines.

Out of the 95 beneficiaries of the training, 10 are already manufacturing the re-usable pads, producing over 1 000 every month for sale in Harare and Masvingo.

Pondiwa said though the focus was to empower the girl child, men also wanted to be part of the project.

He however said boys were not patient with the projects, as evidenced by a group of six who went back to living on the streets soon after training.

One of the beneficiaries of the program, Liona Mamuto, is now able to sustain herself from proceeds of sanitary wear making.

Re-usable sanitary pads can last up to five years if properly cared for.

New Ziana