Miss Malawi Jescar Mponda on Saturday donated assorted items to 50 young girls from Ntondoko Primary School in Lunzu, Blantyre.
The donation, made in partnership with Grace Pads and Muuni Foundation, comprised 50 buckets each containing four reusable sanitary pads, laundry soap, a bucket and underwear. The donation was valued at K580 000.
Mponda said they made the donation to lessen the burden female learners face during their menstruation period. She said the interaction also allowed them to orient the girls to understand how their bodies work as they grow.
“I am sure the girls have their teachers and other adults whom they look up to. But having someone like me engaging them in that talk, I am sure it carried a different weight. In part I also provided inspiration to them so that one day they should be as me,” she said.
The beauty queen said they plan to visit more primary schools to help bridge the gap between girls that dropout and those that proceed to secondary school.
On her part, Grace Pads country director Grace Longani said many girls in the country lack access to role models to inspire them pursue education.
She said: “The donation addressed a practical need while also providing a strong figure they can look up to. This partnership reinforces the message that their education is vital and empowers them to stay in school and dream big no matter what they face.”
Muuni Foundation executive director Cliff Manyela Chisale said their collaboration with the Miss Malawi office provided an opportunity for Mponda to motivate young girls from their foundation as well as learners from the school.
