When young girls are forced to miss school, it impacts every part of their personal life – as they may miss several days each month, leading to a loss of learning and falling behind their peers. To support this issue, Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! Durban Umhlanga Ridge is serving as drop-off point for sanitary health donations.

“When I started working in the South Coast of Kwa Zulu Natal in 2017, where most people come from the rural areas, I discovered when speaking to staff that some children would not attend school during their menstrual cycle due to having no sanitary pads. Many children came from child-headed homes and most people in the community lived in poverty. I believe that no child should be kept away from school because of this” – Thuthukile Moloto, General Manager, Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! by Marriott® Durban uMhlanga Ridge.

According to United Nations Population Fund, it is estimated that seven-million girls across South Africa cannot afford to buy sanitary products.  While the numbers are staggering the hope is not lost as each effort taken plays a role in breaking the menstrual poverty cycle.

“Learning that young girls are being subjected to stigma and at times even miss school due to difficulty in managing their menstrual hygiene is heartbreaking. Access to menstrual health products is a basic human right and this sanitary drive is just one of many ways in which we can support to ensure that girls go to school with self-confidence,” added Thuthukile.

The goal is to collect 10 000 sanitary towels by the end of November 2023. All sanitary health products collected will be distributed to school-going girls and young women in need.

Anyone may donate from as little as R20 or drop off any donations at Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! Durban Umhlanga Ridge