By Lindelwa Dlamini
MBABANE – Ncamiso Mahlalela, who is famously known as the ‘Pads Guy,’ is pleading with all Emaswati to donate to his organisation so that every girl child can be able to use them.
Mahlalela, ‘who is also known as the Sanitary Pads Santa,’ states that not all of the girls in Eswatini are able to comfortably experience their monthly periods because they do not have the sanitary towels. It is for that reason why he calls upon the nation to donate the materials for the girl child.
Mahlalela is the founder of an organisation known as the Helping Hand Foundation (HHF). He started this foundation in 2016, just after losing his mobility, which has given him a purpose to continue living each day with a smile.
“I was feeling weak, my knees were painful to me and I heard a knock on the door, while I was trying to relax. I took my crutches and I managed to reach the door, only to find a woman I have not met before with two kids and a toddler on her back. She looked hopeless and she greeted me and asked to sweep my drive way in an exchange for bread. I refused as I saw how desperate she was. I would be seen like someone who was using her. I gave her money and asked for her numbers, so that I can continue donating food and clothes to her. Since then I understood my calling for giving. It was my wake up call to realize that my calling is to give, not allowing my immobility to control me,” he said.
He said that ever since that day he took it upon himself to asked for unused clothes from his children, relatives and friends. Which helped him one day as he was traveling to Sihhohweni under Ludzeludze constituency where he met up with children who were wearing torn clothes. Luckily the donated items were in the car and he gave them and took a picture with them.
The picture went viral and that made his work visible to many, as he was contacted by people locally, who wanted to partake in this new project. He also got a call from certain lady overseas who asked him to do a quotation of those children so she can buy them school shoes which she bought the next day.
He continued saying that there was another instance where he was approached by a community health facilitator (umgcugcuteli) who asked him to assist another girls from his home area with sanitary pads and that was another sign of him being called for a purpose to youth.
Mahlalela narrated that changed his focus to a girl child as those instances made him do a study about the challenges girls go through to get sanitary pads due to period poverty. He made a discovery that some girls went as far as using newspapers and socks for alternatives when they were on their monthly periods.
He further said he was saddened by the fact that at some point many girls absent themselves at school during their the days of their monthly periods which caused a delay in their academics.
“This has not been an easy project for him to manage, these 8 years have been so challenging as some of the donors do not live up to their promises, but we are very thankful to those who had. Menstrual cycle is an everyday thing, we wish everyone must keep their promises of possible,” he said.
He continued to urge Eswatini to make a difference to a girl child by donating to HHF. An amount as E20 would go a long way and it can put the end to period poverty.
“My dream is to see every woman have access to free sanitary pads just like we do with condoms,” said Mahlalela.
Mahlalela is kindly edging Emaswati, society developers, and corporates to donate sanitary pads, clothes or other items they find not useful to them to HHF.
Those who wish to donate can send E20 to 78138561 or visit “Helping Hands Foundation” on Facebook. They can also call or WhatsApp them on 78138561.
